鸟类分类学的研究在近百年来取得了丰硕成果，同时也存在着一些争议。鸟分类学研究的争议在理论上表现为不同物种概念的争论，即“如何定义物种”；在实践上表现为具体类群的不同划分方案，即“如何划分物种”。目前，“广义谱系种概念”受到广泛应用。这一概念认为“独立进化的谱系”是物种的唯一属性，提出使用多种类型的数据检验物种分类地位的“整合分类学”。本研究整理了鸟类分类学研究中使用的分类特征，发现分类特征选择并未显著影响物种划分结果、分类特征选择在不同类群间差异不大、分类特征数目的年际变化不显著，并基于此讨论了“整合分类学”对分类实践的影响。

“广义谱系种概念”认为在物种分化过程中不同谱系特征的演化顺序是随机的，这可能会忽视分类特征在种间识别中的具体作用机制，夸大某些特征的生物学意义。本研究对高山短翅蝗莺种组（Locustella mandelli complex）中四川短翅蝗莺（L. chengi）和高山短翅蝗莺(L. mandelli)两个物种开展了回放实验，发现二者均对本种鸣唱的反应强烈，对异种鸣唱的反应微弱，证实二者存在鸣唱的种间识别。回放编辑后的鸣声发现这两个物种对频率特征的差异敏感，对时间特征的差异缺乏响应。在声谱分析中二者鸣唱的频率和时间特征均有显著差异，但回放实验表明在种间识别中频率特征比时间特征更重要。该结果表明人为选择的鸣声特征未必符合鸟类的感知，凸显了回放实验在鸟类分类学研究中的重要性。

对个体进行“物种鉴定”是分类学最基础的一种实践。鸟类学家基于一系列数据的范围进行“物种划分”，而“物种鉴定”要将单独的数据点与已划分的范围相比对。本研究关注分布区正在向北扩张的强脚树莺（Horornis fortipes）。通过收集公民科学数据，厘清了其分布区北界，发现其在北京及周边临近地区至少已有6个稳定繁殖的地点。通过鸣声分析，推测北扩种群来源于davidianus亚种的西部方言区。结合地形和强脚树莺所需生境，秦岭-太行山可能是该北扩种群的扩散通道。在“整合分类学”理论下，分类学家应尽可能扩大采样的地理范围，最大限度地展现分类特征的变异幅度和分布区变迁，以实现分类学进展。

本研究围绕两种莺类的分类问题，通过回放实验探讨了鸣唱的种间识别，并基于鸣唱特征探讨了具体类群的分类地位，以期为鸣声在鸟类分类学中的应用提供新的资料。

The study of avian species taxonomy has undergone substantial advancements over the past century. With evolving research paradigms, the controversies in avian taxonomy research predominantly revolve around two key areas. The theoretical controversy centers on the debate concerning the concept of species, specifically addressing "how to define species." In contrast, the practical controversy pertains to the differing classification schemes for taxa, focusing on "how to classify species." Presently, the concept of "general lineage concept of species" holds widespread usage, emphasizing the "independent evolutionary lineage" as the primary attribute of a species, while acknowledging the absence of a definitive standard for species delimitation. Additionally, the proposal of "integrated taxonomy" encourages the utilization of multiple datasets to verify species status. This study systematically cataloged the use of taxonomy characters in avian taxonomy research and discerned that the choice of taxonomy characters had minimal impact on taxonomy outcomes. Furthermore, the investigation revealed a lack of significant differentiation in the selection of taxonomy characters between Passeriformes and Non-passeriformes, and the interannual variation in the number of taxonomy characters exhibited no significant differences. These findings corroborate the inherent ambiguity within integrated taxonomy.

The general lineage concept of species which emphasizes the random divergence of different traits on the speciation way may inadvertently overlook the interspecific recognition mechanism of taxonomy characters, potentially amplifying the biological significance of specific traits. In this study, playback experiments were conducted on two avian species in Russet Bush Warbler complex, namely the Sichuan Bush Warbler (Locustella chengi) and Russet Bush Warbler (L. mandelli). The findings revealed that both species exhibited a robust response to conspecific songs, while their reaction to heterospecific songs was comparatively feeble. These results not only confirmed interspecific song recognition between the two species but also validated their respective species status. Moreover, through playback experiments involving edited songs, it was discovered that both species were sensitive to differences in frequency characteristics and lack response to differences in time characteristics. Spectral analysis of acoustic characteristics unveiled significant differences in both frequency and time attributes between the two species. However, the research accentuated the heightened sensitivity of these avian species to discrepancies in frequency characteristics during interspecific recognition. This study demonstrated that the acoustic characters selected in spectral analvsis may not match the birds’ perception, highlighting the pivotal role of playback experiments in avian taxonomy investigations.

Species identification of individuals stands as a foundational practice within the realm of taxonomy. While ornithologists employ a range of data for species delimitation, species identification involves comparing a single data point to the already established delineated range. This study concentrates on the Brownish Bush Warbler (Horornis fortipes), which exhibits an expanding northern distribution. Leveraging data gathered from citizen science programs, the research clarified the northern boundary of its distribution, revealing a minimum of six stable breeding sites in Beijing and its environs. Acoustic analysis unveiled that the population expansion in the north originated from the western dialect area of the davidianus subspecies, suggesting a potential northward spread from the Qinling Mountains and Taihang Mountains. Embracing the tenets of integrated taxonomy, taxonomists are urged to significantly broaden the geographical sampling range, maximize the variability of taxonomy characters within the corresponding groups, and endeavor to assimilate individual data surpassing the existing range, thus fostering advancements in taxonomy.

The present study centers on the taxonomy of two warblers, and explores interspecific recognition of song through playback experiments and the taxonomic status of specific taxa based on song characteristics, with a view to providing new information on the use of songs in avian taxonomy.