红隼繁殖期配偶间声通讯行为研究

The origin and evolution of language is considered one of the hardest problems in science. To answer the question, a necessary prerequisite is to understand the diversity and function of nonhuman animals, and then uncover the evolution of language by inter-specific comparison. The melodious beauty and complexity of birdsong have long attracted amateurs, naturalists, and scientists alike. Birds also use a repertoire of social calls for communication in a variety of contexts, such as begging calls and alarm calls. However, the characteristics and function of social calls of birds remain unknown relative to birdsong. In this case, the more research on social calls of birds are necessary. In this study, we will select the Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), a bird species with reversed sexual size dimorphism and monogamy, as target species. to study acoustic communication between mates at the Zuojia Nature Reserve in northeastern China. We will record and analyze the social calls of the Eurasian Kestrel to determine their characteristics, diversity and variation across different behavioral contexts and breeding stages. We also playback the social calls to clarify whether are alarm and food transfers calls functionally referential signals. Additionally, the role of social calls of the Eurasian Kestrel in reproduction success will be investigated by integrating social calls and reproduction success. The study will accelerate acoustic communication in non-passerines, and provide unique insights into the myriad selection pressures that birds face and their relative importance. The results will also provide scientific basis for the conservation of raptors from acoustics and culture.

语言的起源和进化被认为是科学研究领域最难的问题之一。解决这一问题，必先弄清非人类动物通讯叫声的多样性和功能，通过种间比较，进而追溯人类语言的进化。在脊椎动物中，鸟类鸣唱因其悦耳动听的特性和极高的复杂性而引起人们的长期关注。除了鸣唱，鸟类在多种背景下也发出结构和功能多样的通讯叫声，如乞食叫声和警报叫声等。然而，相对于鸣唱，鸟类通讯叫声的特征和功能仍不清楚，迫切需要更多系统的研究。本项目以吉林省左家自然保护区的猛禽红隼为研究对象，通过观察繁殖期配偶间的行为和分析其通讯叫声，旨在确定红隼繁殖期通讯叫声的特征、多样性和变化规律；阐明配偶报警和递食过程中通讯叫声的功能指示作用；结合不同配偶对的繁殖成功差异，揭示红隼配偶间通讯叫声对其繁殖成功的影响。研究结果将推动非鸣禽类声通讯行为的研究，加深人们对塑造鸟类声通讯行为的生态、社会和生理等选择压力的理解，从声学和文化方面为猛禽物种多样性保护提供科学依据。

声信号是动物间信息交流的重要方式之一，包含着丰富的生物学意义。声信号因传播距离较远、多样性极高以及与人类语言具有相似性，从而引起人们的广泛关注。鸟类是使用声信号进行交流沟通的常见动物，除了鸣唱，鸟类在多种背景下也发出结构和功能多样的通讯叫声，如乞食叫声和警报叫声等。然而，相对于鸣唱，鸟类通讯叫声的特征和功能仍不清楚，迫切需要选用一种典型的通讯叫声开展系统的研究。本项目以一种中等体型的猛禽红隼（Falco tinnunculus）为研究对象，通过录制繁殖期红隼的报警叫声，并通过报警叫声的声音分析、回放实验和结合观察行为等方法，对报警叫声的特征、可塑性和信息传递机制进行了研究。研究结果表明红隼能够调整报警叫声的声学特征，根据繁殖阶段和威胁紧急性改变巢防御中的报警叫声的特征并进一步有助于权衡父母投入亲代投资。雏鸟对报警信息的反应，验证了报警叫声所包含的威胁等级信息也有助于了解亲子代之间识别和交流。本项目的成果为猛禽声行为研究提供依据，加深人们对鸟类声通讯行为的理解，从声学和文化方面为猛禽物种多样性保护提供科学依据。