Walsh, Sarah, Townsend, Simon W., Morgan, Kate and Reilly, Amanda R. (2019) Investigating the potential for call combinations in a lifelong vocal learner. Ethology . doi:10.1111/eth.12860 (In Press)

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Abstract

The ability for humans to create seemingly infinite meaning from a finite set of sounds has likely been a critical component in our success as a species, allowing the unbounded communication of information. Syntax, the combining of meaningful sounds into phrases, is one of the primary features of language that enables this extensive expressivity. The evolutionary history of syntax, however, remains largely debated, and it is only very recently that comparative data for syntax in animals have been revealed. Here, we provide further evidence for a structural basis of potential syntactic‐like call combinations in the vocal communication system of a group‐living songbird. Acoustic analyses indicate that Western Australian magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen dorsalis) structurally combine generic alarm calls with acoustically distinct alert calls to produce an alarm alert sequence. These results are distinct from previous examples of call combinations as, to our knowledge, evidence for this capacity is yet to be demonstrated in the natural communication of a non‐human species that is capable of vocal learning throughout life. These findings offer prospects for experimental investigation into the presence and function of magpie call combinations, extending our understanding of animal vocal complexity.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Magpies -- Vocalization -- Western Australia, Animal calls
Journal or Publication Title:	Ethology
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:	0179-1613
Official Date:	19 March 2019
Dates:	Date Event 19 March 2019 Available 13 February 2019 Accepted
Date of first compliant deposit:	19 March 2019
DOI:	10.1111/eth.12860
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	In Press
Publisher Statement:	"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Walsh, SL, Townsend, SW, Morgan, K, Ridley, AR. Investigating the potential for call combinations in a lifelong vocal learner. Ethology. 2019; 00: 1– 7. , which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12860 This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions."
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:	Project/Grant ID RIOXX Funder Name Funder ID DP140101921 University of Western Australia http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001801 DP140101921 [ARC] Australian Research Council http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000923 PP00P3_163850 [SNSF] Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001711
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