Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2000/00286
Male song quality and maternal investment in songbirds.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor C Catchpole, Royal Holloway, Univ of London, Biological Sciences
- Grant held at:
- Royal Holloway, Univ of London, Biological Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Behavioural Ecology
- Abstract:
- We will test a currently fashionable hypothesis that female birds are able to allocate reproductive resources in relation to the perceived 'attractiveness' of their mate. To do this we will experiment upon captive female canaries using male song complexity as a measure of attractiveness. The song structures which females find most attractive are known and can be cut and pasted into experimental songs. Female canaries will be kept under controlled conditions in sound-proof chambers and exposed to playback of computer-edited songs of varying attractiveness. They will then be allowed to copulate with a stud male and breed. These experiments will enable us to test the predictions that, females exposed to more attractive songs will: 1) manipulate the sex ratio to produce more male offspring, 2) produce larger eggs, and 3) produce more testosterone in their eggs.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/A/S/2000/00286
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £161,738
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £6,475 | £92,885 | £13,525 | £6,125 | £42,726 |
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