Below are ten hypotheses about why male white-crowned sparrows sing dialects. Fo

Question

Below are ten hypotheses about why male white-crowned sparrows sing dialects. For each one, decide whether it is a genetic-developmental (G) explanation, a physiological-psychological explanation (P), an adaptive value explanation (AV) or one relating to evolutionary history (EH). In addition, flag those explanations that are based on group selection theory (GS). It is difficult to learn a dialect, which enables females to mate with only those males with good dialects so as to improve the breeding stock of the species. White-crowned sparrows evolved from an ancestral species that possessed the capacity for song learning. Males in different populations have different forms of certain genes that influence the development of the song system. The ability to sing the local dialect enables a bird to form bonds with others in the area so that they can adjust their total reproductive output, reducing the risk of local overpopulation. Males in different populations are exposed to different songs, an experience that influences the kind of song that the birds learn. The differences among dialects are environmentally determined, not genetically controlled. Males in different populations have song systems in their brains that operate slightly differently. By being able to sing the local dialect, a male is able to communicate territorial ownership of a breeding site to rival males more effectively. Young adult white-crowned sparrows are motivated to match their song as closely as possible to that of their neighbours. Young white-crowed sparrows are primed hormonally during a particular record acoustical information from singing males of their own species.

Explanation / Answer

4.

a. An adaptive value explanation (AV)

b. One relating to evolutionary history (EH)

c. Genetic-developmental (G) explanation

d. physiological-psychological explanation (P)

e. An adaptive value explanation (AV)

f. An adaptive value explanation (AV)

g. An adaptive value explanation (AV)

h. An adaptive value explanation (AV)

i. An adaptive value explanation (AV)

j. physiological-psychological explanation (P)

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