Data from: Songbird frequency selectivity and temporal resolution vary with sex and season

Many species of songbirds exhibit dramatic seasonal variation in song output. Recent evidence suggests that seasonal changes in auditory processing are coincident with seasonal variation in vocal output. Here we show for the first time that frequency selectivity and temporal resolution of the songbird auditory periphery change seasonally and in a sex-specific manner. Male and female house sparrows (Passer domesticus) did not differ in their frequency sensitivity during the non-breeding season, nor did they differ in their temporal resolution. In contrast, female house sparrows showed enhanced frequency selectivity during the breeding season which was matched by a concomitant reduction of temporal resolution. However, males failed to show seasonal plasticity in either of these auditory properties. We discuss potential mechanisms generating these seasonal patterns and the implications of sex-specific seasonal changes in auditory processing for vocal communication.

诸多鸣禽物种的鸣唱产出均存在显著的季节性变化。已有研究表明，听觉加工的季节性变化与鸣唱产出的季节性波动存在同步性。本研究首次证实，鸣禽听觉外周（auditory periphery）的频率选择性（frequency selectivity）与时间分辨率（temporal resolution）均随季节发生改变，且该变化呈现性别特异性模式。在非繁殖期，雌雄家麻雀（Passer domesticus）的频率敏感性（frequency sensitivity）与时间分辨率均无显著差异。与之相反，雌性家麻雀在繁殖期的频率选择性显著提升，且这一变化伴随其时间分辨率的同步下降。但雄性家麻雀的这两类听觉特性均未表现出季节性可塑性（seasonal plasticity）。本研究探讨了驱动此类季节性模式的潜在机制，以及听觉加工的性别特异性季节性变化对鸣唱通讯的潜在意义。