Abstract
We describe the patterns of song variation in the Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis). Individual variation was estimated using a sample of 659 songs belonging to 2 1 individuals. This analysis showed that this species uses a repertoire of up to seven song types. Geographic, ecological, and subspecific patterns of variation were estimated using four songs from each of 93 birds recorded from Mexico to Argentina. On each sonogram we measured 10 temporal, frequency, and structural features of the song. Principal component analysis based on the correlation matrix of these data showed that subspecies sing similar songs. However, there were significant relationships between principal component values and latitude, indicating that songs from equatorial areas are shorter in duration, have higher maximum frequency and number of syllables, broader bandwidth and are less repetitive than those from more temperate areas. In addition, we classified the recording sites into three categories according to the actual vegetation: open, mixed, and closed. A multivariate analysis of variance after removing the effect of latitude and altitude, showed that habitat types differ in song structure. Songs from open and mixed areas have a narrow bandwidth, and a lower maximum, minimum and emphasized frequencies than those from closed sites. We analyzed these patterns according to the current ideas about sound propagation in natural environments and the geographical pattern of body size vari- ation in the Rufous-browed Peppershrike.
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