Abstract
Social information is widely used by animals to inform decisions made in a variety of contexts. Less well understood is how the state of the information source influences social information use and if social information informs migratory decisions. Furthermore, most studies on social information use in the context of migration focus on obligate migrants, yet social information is predicted to be particularly important for species that exhibit more flexible migratory behavior. We experimentally tested for social cue use during the vernal migratory period in a captive population of pine siskins (Spinus pinus). Pine siskins are nomadic migrants that exhibit a highly flexible spring migratory period that is associated with elevated energy reserves and, in captivity, nocturnal migratory restlessness. Beginning in May, male and female subjects were presented same-sex neighbors that were previously maintained on either a standard photoperiod (control neighbors) or a longer, summer photoperiod (photo-advanced neighbors, who exhibited more advanced reproductive development). We assessed the effect of these differing social cues on subjects over 28 days by monitoring nocturnal migratory behavior, body condition, and reproductive development. Subjects presented with photo-advanced neighbors ceased nocturnal migratory behavior more rapidly than subjects paired with control neighbors. We also observed a relatively stronger response to social cues among female subjects. Rates of change in the body condition and reproductive development of subjects did not differ between treatment groups. This study provides novel insight into how social cues can influence migratory decision-making and provides evidence of sex-specific differences in cue use.
Significance statement
Animals often use social information when making decisions. Less well understood is how the state of the information source influences social information use, particularly during migratory decision-making. Using a species of nomadic songbird, we experimentally demonstrate that the decision to terminate migratory behavior depends upon the state of nearby conspecifics. This study informs our understanding of how animals use social information to inform migratory decisions.
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Data availability
Data and code used to produce results are available through the Washington State University Research Exchange: https://doi.org/10.7273/000003927.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Jessica Tir, Kevin Jones, and Adam Becker for assistance with animal husbandry and capture. We thank Kristen Covino and an anonymous reviewer for helpful feedback.
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Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation (IOS-1755245 to HEW and IOS-1755227 to JMC).
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HEW, JMC, and BJV designed the study; BJV collected, analyzed, and visualized the data; BJV wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors edited subsequent drafts.
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All applicable national and institutional guidelines for the use of animals were followed. Birds were collected under scientific permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Idaho Fish and Game. All procedures were approved by the Washington State University Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee (protocol: 6082).
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Vernasco, B.J., Cornelius, J.M. & Watts, H.E. Social information use in migratory decision-making depends upon conspecific state. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 76, 130 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-022-03229-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-022-03229-y