Research Overview
The process of speciation and the various aspects of divergence that can cause closely related species to become separate is a topic that requires much studying. This process of speciation can be found in the four species determined to be a product of divergence such as the Eastern and Western Meadowlark as well as the Blue and Golden Warbler. Considering the terms of the biological species concept, the Eastern and Western Meadowlark should exhibit more pronounced differences in bird song because habitat isolation prevents the two species from frequently interbreeding. Through the measurement of various aspects within each species bird song, the ability to determine in which species pair behavioral isolation will be most important in will become distinguishable.
To conduct this study, three audio samples for each of the four species were obtained. Using Raven Lite 1.0 software, a section (including the bird song) for each sample was enhanced for analysis. Upon enhancement, the highest and lowest showing frequency (measured in Hertz) of the bird song as well as the duration of the song was recorded. To statistically analyze the collected data, the mean of all three samples for the highest frequency, lowest frequency, and duration was calculated for each of the species. From the calculated results, a T-test was conducted between the bird pairs (Eastern and Western Meadowlark/Blue and Golden Warbler).