Data from: Song recognition and heterospecific associations between two fairy-wren species (Maluridae)

Although heterospecific associations beneficial to one or both species involved (e.g. commensalisms or mutualisms) are common, it is generally assumed that interactions between species are transient and not particular to individuals. However, long-term interactions between individuals of different species do occur. In such heterospecific social groups, discrimination between heterospecific individuals may be beneficial, allowing individuals to direct beneficial or aggressive behaviors towards appropriate targets. Here we describe heterospecific groups composed of splendid and variegated fairy-wrens (Malurus splendens and M. lamberti) and provide the first experimental evidence that recognition of heterospecific group members occurs across species. In these species, family groups live on overlapping territories and co-defend shared territories against both heterospecific and conspecific intruders. Individuals on shared territories were frequently observed traveling and foraging together. Socially dominant males of both species responded more aggressively to songs of neighboring and foreign heterospecific fairy-wrens than they did to those of their co-resident heterospecifics. Although splendid fairy-wrens did not change their behavior when associating with heterospecifics, variegated fairy-wrens spent more time foraging, were less vigilant, had greater first-nest fledging success, and fewer extra-group young. These findings suggest heterospecific associations between these two species benefit the variegated fairy-wren. Our findings are novel and show that recognition and discrimination among individuals, often considered a prerequisite for conspecific cooperation, can occur across species.R-code for generalized and general linear mixed modelsR-code for generalized and general linear mixed models of variegated and splendid fairy-wren reproductive success. Files referenced in the code are files included in this Dryad entry.vigilanceFrequency of vigilance behavior of variegated and splendid fairy-wrens when associating with their heterospecific territory co-resident and when alone. README file contains details of each column of data.Variegated fairy-wren extra-group paternity group summary 2012-2015Extra-group paternity summary for sampled variegated fairy-wren groups between 2012 and 2015. Those groups who's territory overlap status was unknown and who's offspring mismatched with their mother were excluded. Nests of secondary breeding females and second nests of primary breeding females were excluded as well.Splendid group composition overlap and nest success condensed with unknowns removedNest success of splendid fairy-wren groups between 2013 and 2015 on territories shared with variegated fairy-wrens and those that were solitary. Nest success measures include fledging of any nest, fledging of the first nest, and renesting following initial nest failure.Variegated group composition overlap and nest success condensed with unknowns removedNest success of variegated fairy-wren groups between 2013 and 2015 who shared their territory with splendid fairy-wrens and those that were on solitary territories. Nest success measures included fledging of any nest, fledging of the first nest, and renesting following initial nest failure.Splendid Heterospecific playbackRaw responses of splendid fairy-wren focal males to heterospecific playback treatments and principle components composite score for combined responses.Variegated Heterospecific playbackRaw responses of variegated fairy-wren focal males to heterospecific playback treatments and principle components composite score for combined responses.Both species conspecific playback experiment dominant male responsesRaw responses of splendid and variegated fairy-wren focal males to conspecific playback stimuli and principle components composite score for combined responses performed for each species independently.splendid and vareigated fairy-wren focal followFocal follow behavior frequencies for both splendid and variegated fairy-wrens on shared territories when associating and when alone. For detailed descriptions of behaviors see the supplemental material associated with the manuscript