title: Mate call as reward: Acoustic communication signals can acquire positive reinforcing values during adulthood in female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata).
abstract: Social stimuli can have rewarding properties and promote learning. In birds, conspecific vocalizations like song can act as a reinforcer, and specific song variants can acquire particular rewarding values during early life exposure. Here we ask if, during adulthood, an acoustic signal simpler and shorter than song can become a reward for a female songbird because of its particular social value. Using an operant choice apparatus, we showed that female zebra finches display a preferential response toward their mate's calls. This reinforcing value of mate's calls could be involved in the maintenance of the monogamous pair-bond of the zebra finch.
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Neuro-PSI/ENES - CNRS UMR 9197.
authors.forename: Alexandra M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Neuro-PSI/ENES - CNRS UMR 9197.
authors.forename: Emilie C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Neuro-PSI/ENES - CNRS UMR 9197.
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mulard
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Neuro-PSI/ENES - CNRS UMR 9197.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mathevon
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Neuro-PSI/ENES - CNRS UMR 9197.
authors.forename: Clémentine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vignal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D046369:Finches; D010152:Pair Bond; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012201:Reward; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology