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Cuckoo calls?

To:
Subject: Cuckoo calls?
From: (Andrew Taylor)
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 22:52:40 +1100
On Mon, Nov 17, 2003 at 08:01:22PM +1100, Carol Probets wrote:
> I haven't read the original paper (except for the Abstract), so cannot
> comment further, but it might be worth chasing up for those that are
> interested in this fascinating topic. The reference is:
> Langmore, N.E., Hunt, S. & Kilner, R.M. (2003) "Escalation of a
> coevolutionary arms race through host rejection of brood parasitic young".
> Nature 422, 157-160.

For those interested and without access to Nature,
Naomi Langmore has the paper on the web at:
http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/langmore/publications/lang13.pdf

They suggest that begging calls in Horsfield's bronze-cuckoos have
evolved to be similar to Superb Fairy-wrens.  I'm not sure how they
exclude learning by the cuckoo fledgings.  They are uncertain whether
wrens learn to recognise wren chicks versus cuckoos.  There is quite a
bit more in the paper which is well worth the read.

Andrew

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