Sources of phenotypic variation in the separation call of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

Abstract

We examined sources of phenotypic variation (genetic, cultural, or an interaction of genetic and cultural factors) among separation calls of a game farm population of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). F1 subjects were cross-fostered at hatching and placed with adult male tutors. F2 subjects were isolated without a tutor, with a related tutor, or with an unrelated tutor. Calls of subjects were compared for differences between those subjects from different sets of parents tutored by the same adult and between groups of siblings tutored by different adults. Calls of both F1 and F2 subjects were different (P < 0.05) between familial lines at all ages examined, demonstrating that genetic factors are the major source of phenotypic variation. The implication of these results is discussed with reference to variation in calls among bobwhite populations.