Variation in song system anatomy and androgen levels does not correspond to song characteristics in a tropical songbird

Abstract

Variation in song structure and song production of birds are thought to relate to variation of both androgen levels and neural nuclei in the song system, as typically these nuclei are larger in males than in females, vary in size among males and are sensitive to steroid hormones . We investigated the relationships among song and note structure, singing rate, androgen levels and the sizes of two song nuclei, the higher vocal centre (HVC) and the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) in male and female red-backed fairy-wrens, Malurus melanocephalus . Males of this duetting species express three discrete reproductive phenotypes that differ in plumage colour and behaviour. Although HVC and RA structure differed between the sexes, there were no sex differences in note structure and complexity of songs, although females differed from some male types in song rate and frequency characteristics. Both auxiliary males and females had significantly lower androgen levels than the two breeding male phenotypes. Male reproductive phenotypes had similar song characteristics and HVC and RA structure, but differed in androgen levels. Sexes and male phenotypes varied in song rate, but these differences did not correspond to differences in androgen levels. Thus, sex differences in song nuclei anatomy and androgen levels were not associated with differences in song structure and singing rate; and, the differences in androgen levels among male phenotypes were not reflected in differences in singing rate, song structure or the song nuclei. We conclude that, similar to other recent findings, the sexes of the red-backed fairy-wren can produce similar song and express similar singing behaviour despite differences in song system structure and circulating androgen levels; singing and song system anatomy appear not to be part of the suite of traits associated with differences in androgen levels in male red-backed fairy-wrens. • We examined potential factors influencing song variation in red-backed fairy-wrens. • Sexes differed in song nuclei anatomy but not in singing rate or song structure. • Females had lower androgen levels than breeding males but higher levels than auxiliary males. • Male phenotypes differed in androgen levels but not in song nuclei anatomy or song structure.