Correlates of aggression : the interplay between boldness, testosterone, and territoriality in male song sparrows, Melospiz melodia, in urban and rural habitats
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- James Kyle Boudreau (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Jeremy Hyman
Abstract: Animals colonizing urban habitats are often noticeably bold in the presence of
humans, and such boldness is typically thought to arise as urban individuals habituate to
the repeated presence of humans. However, recent studies in animal behavior suggest
that: 1) boldness may be an inherent trait as opposed to a learned behavior and 2) some
individuals exhibit behavioral syndromes that restrict behavioral plasticity, and may limit
an individual’s ability to adapt to environmental change. In a recent study, we examined
differences in urban and rural populations of song sparrows and confirmed that urban
birds were bolder toward humans, but also, this boldness was correlated with higher
levels of territorial aggression. This study also examined the correlation between
testosterone, a hormone associated with aggression in birds, and variation in aggression
and boldness in urban and rural song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Despite significant
differences in aggression and boldness between urban and rural populations, this study
found no evidence of differences in testosterone between the two populations. It is
possible that other mechanisms (e.g. sensitivity to circulating testosterone) may be involved, and further examination into these possibilities will provide better
understanding of these behavioral differences.
Correlates of aggression : the interplay between boldness, testosterone, and territoriality in male song sparrows, Melospiz melodia, in urban and rural habitats
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Created on 4/1/2011
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2011
- Keywords
- behavioral syndrome, territoriality, testosterone, urban
- Subjects
- Song sparrow -- Behavior -- North Carolina
- Song sparrow -- Territoriality -- North Carolina
- Song sparrow -- Habitat -- North Carolina
- Aggressive behavior in animals -- North Carolina