Final answer:
The study by Feher et al. corroborates the nativist view, indicating that bird song is innate and not entirely learned. The communication of information between species through calls demonstrates an impact on natural selection. Furthermore, the Modern Synthesis provides a framework for understanding how natural selection and genetics interact to drive evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study by Feher et al. supports the nativist view of bird song origins. The findings suggest that the songs of birds raised in isolation still converge to resemble those of normal adult birds, implying that the ability to produce these songs is inherent, rather than solely learned through interaction with other members of the species. This strongly indicates a genetic component to bird song, affirming the nativist idea that some behaviors are innate rather than entirely shaped by environmental factors or cultural transmission.
Impact on Natural Selection
The various calls made by prey bird species, including mobbing, scolding, and warning calls, demonstrate the communication's effect on natural selection. When these calls are within the sound frequency range audible to both the prey and predator species, they can affect predator-prey interactions, potentially influencing the survival and reproduction of the prey species. This interaction between species through communication supports the claim that one species' response to information can affect natural selection in another species.
Modern Synthesis
The Modern Synthesis integrates genetics with natural selection to explain how evolutionary pressures affect a population's genetic composition, leading to the gradual evolution of populations and species. This synthesis solidifies the understanding that inherited traits, influenced by genetic mutations and environmental pressures, can be favored or disfavored through natural selection, thereby driving the diversity of life.