Multimodal signals facilitate conspecific recognition in two recently diverged Neotropical Songbird species

In this study, we combined reciprocal playbacks with taxidermic mounts to investigate how two neotropical dry forest wren species, the Sclater’s Wrens (Campylorhynchus humilis) and the Veracruz Wrens (C. rufinucha), discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific divergent multimodal signals (song and plumage), and quantified the relative importance of each signal modality for conspecific recognition. Females and males of both species discriminated between conspecific and heterospecific songs and mounts from males and females. In treatments with mismatched signal stimuli, those with conspecific songs elicited the strongest responses, suggesting that song plays a predominant role during discrimination. Our findings reveal that both sexes discriminate among species by song and that both sexes actively engage in territory defence activities. Overall, this study shed light on how multimodal signals are used in conspecific recognition and their implications for pre-mating isolation.