Can reinforcement occur with a learned trait?

Abstract excerpt

We use birdsong as a case study to ask whether reinforcement can occur via the spread of a genetically determined female preference for a socially inherited (learned) male trait. We envision secondary contact between two neighboring populations with different song dialects. An individual's ability to learn song is confined by a genetic predisposition: if predispositions are strong, there will be no phenotypic...

Topics

Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.

• Share to Biological Evolution
• Share to Environment
• Share to Learning