Data from: Conspecific olfactory preferences and interspecific divergence in odor cues in a chickadee hybrid zone
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Understanding how mating cues promote reproductive isolation upon secondary contact is important in describing the speciation process in animals. Divergent chemical cues have been shown to act in reproductive isolation across many animal taxa. However, such cues have been overlooked in avian speciation, particularly in passerines, in favor of more traditional signals such as song and plumage. Here we aim to test the potential for odor to act as a mate choice cue, and therefore contribute to premating reproductive isolation between the black-capped (Poecile atricapillus) and Carolina chickadee (P. carolinensis) in eastern Pennsylvania hybrid zone populations. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we document significant species differences in uropygial gland oil chemistry, especially in the ratio of ester to non-ester compounds. We also show significant preferences for conspecific over heterospecific odor cues in wild chickadees using a Y-maze design. Our results suggest that odor may be an overlooked but important mating cue in these chickadees, potentially promoting premating reproductive isolation. We further discuss several promising avenues for future research in songbird olfactory communication and speciation.
解析交配信号在次生接触过程中如何促进生殖隔离，对于阐释动物物种形成进程具有关键意义。已有研究证实，差异化化学信号可在众多动物类群中介导生殖隔离，但此类信号在鸟类物种形成研究中常被忽视，尤其在雀形目鸟类中，学界更倾向于关注鸣唱、羽色等传统交配信号。本研究旨在检验嗅觉信号作为配偶选择信号的潜在作用，进而探讨其对宾夕法尼亚州东部杂交带种群黑头山雀（Poecile atricapillus）与卡罗莱纳山雀（P. carolinensis）之间交配前生殖隔离的贡献。我们采用气相色谱-质谱联用法，证实两种山雀的尾脂腺油脂化学成分存在显著物种差异，尤以酯类与非酯类化合物的比例差异最为突出。通过Y型迷宫实验设计，我们还发现野生山雀对同种气味信号存在显著偏好，而非异种气味信号。本研究结果表明，嗅觉信号或许是这类山雀中被长期忽视但至关重要的交配信号，可能在推动交配前生殖隔离中发挥作用。我们还就鸣禽嗅觉通讯与物种形成领域的若干极具前景的未来研究方向展开了讨论。
