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Czocherová I, Svetlík J, Rubáčová L. Intra- and interspecific interactions in the two coexisting Locustella warblers revealed by song playback experiments. Behav Processes 2024; 216:104992. [PMID: 38253112 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.104992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Males usually come into conflict due to competition for territories and females. However, interference competition can also occur between males of congeneric species when their ecological requirements are overlapping. Using acoustic playback experiments, we investigated male-male interactions within and between Grasshopper (Locustella naevia; GW) and River Warbler (L. fluviatilis; RW). Our objective was to evaluate the song and behavioural response of tested males of both species to conspecific song stimuli in order to compare this with the response to congeneric stimulus, based on which we could assess whether these two commonly co-existing species show interspecific territorialism. A total of nine GW and 11 RW males were tested in May and June 2019 in western Slovakia. The ability to differentiate between the heterospecific (control), congeneric, and conspecific stimuli was similar between the two species. Conspecific playback elicited the strongest non-vocal response and a significant change in vocalization. The GW males shortened the songs, while the RW males shortened the songs and also increased their syllable rate. The congeneric playback elicited a lower intensity of behavioural response than conspecific playback and no change in vocalization in either species. We conclude that interspecific interference competition between GW and RW is rather low, suggesting that the species' ecological requirements are separated, although these two congeneric species commonly share habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Czocherová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 84215 Bratislava 4, Slovak Republic.
| | - Ján Svetlík
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 84215 Bratislava 4, Slovak Republic
| | - Lucia Rubáčová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 84215 Bratislava 4, Slovak Republic
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2
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Baxter CM, Shams I, Dworkin I, Dukas R. Genetic correlation between aggressive signals and fighting. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20220616. [PMID: 37073527 PMCID: PMC10114015 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Theoretical analyses indicate that aggressive signals should positively correlate with the signallers' willingness and abilities to fight. Few experimental studies, however, have tested this prediction. In two experiments employing distinct, ecologically realistic protocols, we quantified the association between aggressive signals and fighting in fruit fly genotypes and found high positive genetic correlations between threat and fighting (rG = 0.80 and 0.74). Our results add to the growing body of experimental work indicating that aggressive signals have relatively high informational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carling M. Baxter
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Ieta Shams
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Ian Dworkin
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Reuven Dukas
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
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3
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Syntactic rules predict song type matching in a songbird. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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4
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Leitão AV, Mulder RA, Hall ML. Song functions for joint territory defence and within-pair communication in female and male lovely fairy-wrens. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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5
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Feel the beat: cape fur seal males encode their arousal state in their bark rate. Naturwissenschaften 2021; 109:5. [PMID: 34894271 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-021-01778-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The cape fur seal is one of the most colonial mammal species in the world. Breeding colonies are composed of harems held by mature males (older than 10 years) with up to 30 females and their pups, while roaming subadult males (younger and socially immature) are kept away from bulls' territories. As in other pinnipeds, cape fur seals are highly vocal and use acoustic signals in all their social interactions. Males produce barks-short vocalizations always produced in sequences-for territorial defense, mating behaviors, and agonistic interactions. These calls convey information about the sex, age class, and individual identity. This study investigated whether motivational cues such as the arousal state can be encoded in territorial males' barks and whether these cues are decoded by listening sub-adult males. The rate (number of calls per unit of time) and fundamental frequency of barks were found to significantly increase during high arousal state interactions (i.e., male-male confrontation) compared to spontaneous barks. Playback experiments revealed that subadult males responded with a higher level of vigilance when territorial males' barks had a faster bark rate. This mechanism of decoding the bulls' arousal state from barks will likely constitute an advantage for both bulls and the subadult males, by avoiding or reducing physical conflicts, and thereby reducing energy expenditure and the risk of injury. This study is the first experimental evidence of cape fur seals' using vocal rhythmic patterns to modulate their social interactions.
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Opaev AS, Shishkina EM. Song amplitude and population density in two sympatric warblers, Phylloscopus schwarzi and P. fuscatus. BIOACOUSTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2020.1720816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. S. Opaev
- Laboratory of Comparative Ethology and Biocommunication, Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - E. M. Shishkina
- Laboratory of Comparative Ethology and Biocommunication, Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Fernández-Gómez RA, Morales-Mávil JE, Hernández-Salazar LT, Sosa-López JR. Asymmetric behavioural responses to divergent vocal signals in allopatric Neotropical sparrows. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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8
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Deoniziak K, Osiejuk TS. Song-type switching rate in the chaffinch carries a message during simulated intrusion. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-2825-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Birds communicate their motivation and willingness to escalate a territorial conflict with a variety of agonistic signals. One of these, song-type switching, has been suggested to be a conventional signal in male–male interactions. However, this behavior does not show a consistent pattern across species. In this study, we asked whether variation in song-switching rate carries a message for song receivers among territorial chaffinches, Fringilla coelebs. Chaffinch song is well described, but only a few studies have focused on the communicative function of song-type switching or bout duration. Using data from playback experiments, we show here that variation in song-type switching rate affects the response of chaffinches. In response to the low switching rate treatment, territorial males began to sing later, produced fewer songs and more rain calls, decreased flight intensity, and spent more time close to the speaker than during playback of songs with a high switching rate. Our results provide strong evidence that the song-type switching rate is an agonistic signal in the chaffinch and that territorial males exhibit a stronger response toward rivals that sing with a lower song-type switching rate. A secondary purpose of our study was to determine the receivers’ response with respect to their own song rate and song repertoire. We found that the reaction of tested males was correlated with their own spontaneous song rate. This implies that a male’s response to stimuli may be predicted on the basis of his own song output.
Significance statement
Using playback experiments, we show that birds’ responses to simulated territorial intrusion vary not only with the type of stimulus but also with the tested males’ spontaneous song output. We found that, from the perspective of the song receiver, variation in switching rate carries a message for territorial chaffinches. Our findings add a new example of agonistic signaling in which territorial males exhibit a stronger response toward rivals singing with lower song-type switching rate, which up to now has only been demonstrated in a few species. Moreover, our results show that a male’s response to playback could be predicted using his song output. This may be associated with motivation and willingness to escalate a conflict and could possibly also indicate a male’s quality.
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Akçay Ç, Porsuk YK, Avşar A, Çabuk D, Bilgin CC. Song overlapping, noise, and territorial aggression in great tits. Behav Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Communication often happens in noisy environments where interference from the ambient noise and other signalers may reduce the effectiveness of signals which may lead to more conflict between interacting individuals. Signalers may also evolve behaviors to interfere with signals of opponents, for example, by temporally overlapping them with their own, such as the song overlapping behavior that is seen in some songbirds during aggressive interactions. Song overlapping has been proposed to be a signal of aggressive intent, but few studies directly examined the association between song overlapping and aggressive behaviors of the sender. In the present paper, we examined whether song overlapping and ambient noise are associated positively with aggressive behaviors. We carried out simulated territorial intrusions in a population of great tits (Parus major) living in an urban–rural gradient to assess signaling and aggressive behaviors. Song overlapping was associated negatively with aggressive behaviors males displayed against a simulated intruder. This result is inconsistent with the hypothesis that song overlapping is an aggressive signal in this species. Ambient noise levels were associated positively with aggressive behaviors but did not correlate with song rate, song duration, or song overlapping. Great tits in noisy urban habitats may display higher levels of aggressive behaviors due to either interference of noise in aggressive communication or another indirect effect of noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağlar Akçay
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Caddesi, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Y Kağan Porsuk
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Caddesi, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alican Avşar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Üniversiteler, Dumlupınar Blv. No:1, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Dilan Çabuk
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Caddesi, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - C Can Bilgin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Üniversiteler, Dumlupınar Blv. No:1, Ankara, Turkey
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10
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Zipple MN, Peters S, Searcy WA, Nowicki S. Sounds of senescence: male swamp sparrows respond less aggressively to the songs of older individuals. Behav Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Age-related changes in assessment signals occur in a diverse array of animals, including humans. Age-related decline in vocal quality in humans is known to affect perceived attractiveness by potential mates and voters, but whether such changes have functional implications for nonhuman animals is poorly understood. Most studies of age-related change in animal signals focus on increases in signal quality that occur soon after the age of first breeding (“delayed maturation”), but a few have shown that signal quality declines in older individuals after a mid-life peak (“behavioral senescence”). Whether other individuals are able to detect this senescent decline of assessment signals has not previously been tested. Here we use playback experiments to show that wild male swamp sparrows (Melospiza georgiana) respond more aggressively to songs from 2-year-old males as compared with songs from the same males when they are 10 years old. Senescence in signals that, like birdsong, affect reproductive success through intrasexual competition or mate choice may be of evolutionary significance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan Peters
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - William A Searcy
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL , USA
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim G. Frommen
- Division of Behavioural Ecology Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Hinterkappelen Switzerland
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
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12
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Akçay Ç, Beck ML, Sewall KB. Are signals of aggressive intent less honest in urban habitats? Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
How anthropogenic change affects animal social behavior, including communication is an important question. Urban noise often drives shifts in acoustic properties of signals but the consequences of noise for the honesty of signals—that is, how well they predict signaler behavior—is unclear. Here we examine whether honesty of aggressive signaling is compromised in male urban song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Song sparrows have two honest close-range signals: the low amplitude soft songs (an acoustic signal) and wing waves (a visual signal), but whether the honesty of these signals is affected by urbanization has not been examined. If soft songs are less effective in urban noise, we predict that they should predict attacks less reliably in urban habitats compared to rural habitats. We confirmed earlier findings that urban birds were more aggressive than rural birds and found that acoustic noise was higher in urban habitats. Urban birds still sang more soft songs than rural birds. High rates of soft songs and low rates of loud songs predicted attacks in both habitats. Thus, while urbanization has a significant effect on aggressive behaviors, it might have a limited effect on the overall honesty of aggressive signals in song sparrows. We also found evidence for a multimodal shift: urban birds tended to give proportionally more wing waves than soft songs than rural birds, although whether that shift is due to noise-dependent plasticity is unclear. These findings encourage further experimental study of the specific variables that are responsible for behavioral change due to urbanization.
Soft song, the low amplitude songs given in close range interactions, is an honest threat signal in urban song sparrows. Given its low amplitude, soft songs may be a less effective signal in noisy urban habitats. However, we found that soft song remained an honest signal predicting attack in urban habitats. We also found that birds may use more visual signals (rapid fluttering of wings) in urban habitats to avoid masking from acoustic noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağlar Akçay
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Kampusu, Sariyer Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 2125 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Michelle L Beck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 2125 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Department of Biology, Rivier University, Nashua, NH, USA
| | - Kendra B Sewall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 2125 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Mennill DJ, Doucet SM, Newman AE, Williams H, Moran IG, Thomas IP, Woodworth BK, Bornais MM, Norris DR. Eavesdropping on adult vocal interactions does not enhance juvenile song learning: an experiment with wild songbirds. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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14
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Elfström TS. Vocal and visual communication in territorial rock pipit males (Anthus petrosus), focused on playback experiments. A study of the information content of displays. BIOACOUSTICS 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2019.1621775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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15
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Uy JAC, Irwin DE, Webster MS. Behavioral Isolation and Incipient Speciation in Birds. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110617-062646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral changes, such as those involved in mating, foraging, and migration, can generate reproductive barriers between populations. Birds, in particular, are known for their great diversity in these behaviors, and so behavioral isolation is often proposed to be the major driver of speciation. Here, we review empirical evidence to evaluate the importance of behavioral isolation in the early stages of avian speciation. Experimentally measured mating preferences indicate that changes in mating behavior can result in premating barriers, with their strength depending on the extent of divergence in mating signals. Differences in migratory and foraging behavior also can play important roles in generating reproductive barriers in the early stages of speciation. However, because premating behavioral isolation is imperfect, extrinsic postzygotic barriers, in the form of selection against hybrids having intermediate phenotypes, also play an important role in avian diversification, especially in completing the speciation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Albert C. Uy
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, USA
| | - Darren E. Irwin
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Michael S. Webster
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA
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16
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Wild Birds Learn Songs from Experimental Vocal Tutors. Curr Biol 2018; 28:3273-3278.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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17
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Moran IG, Doucet SM, Newman AEM, Ryan Norris D, Mennill DJ. Quiet violence: Savannah Sparrows respond to playback-simulated rivals using low-amplitude songs as aggressive signals. Ethology 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ines G. Moran
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Windsor; Windsor Ontario Canada
| | - Stéphanie M. Doucet
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Windsor; Windsor Ontario Canada
| | - Amy E. M. Newman
- Department of Integrative Biology; University of Guelph; Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - D. Ryan Norris
- Department of Integrative Biology; University of Guelph; Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - Daniel J. Mennill
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Windsor; Windsor Ontario Canada
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18
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Urbanization alters the relationship between coloration and territorial aggression, but not hormones, in song sparrows. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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19
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Ligon RA, McGraw KJ. A chorus of color: hierarchical and graded information content of rapid color change signals in chameleons. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Russell A Ligon
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Kevin J McGraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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20
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Jakubowska A, Osiejuk TS. Soft songs in male ortolan buntings are used in an aggressive context but are not an aggressive signal. Ethology 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Jakubowska
- Department of Behavioural Ecology; Faculty of Biology; Institute of Environmental Sciences; Adam Mickiewicz University; Poznań Poland
| | - Tomasz S. Osiejuk
- Department of Behavioural Ecology; Faculty of Biology; Institute of Environmental Sciences; Adam Mickiewicz University; Poznań Poland
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21
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Liu IA, Soha JA, Nowicki S. Song type matching and vocal performance in territorial signalling by male swamp sparrows. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Niederhauser JM, DuBois AL, Searcy WA, Nowicki S, Anderson RC. A test of the eavesdropping avoidance hypothesis as an explanation for the structure of low-amplitude aggressive signals in the song sparrow. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2469-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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23
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Számadó S. When honesty and cheating pay off: the evolution of honest and dishonest equilibria in a conventional signalling game. BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:270. [PMID: 29281957 PMCID: PMC5745956 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-1112-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The reliability of signals is a key issue in the study of animal communication. Both empirical work and theoretical models show that communication need not be entirely honest, and thus signals can be deceitful. Aggressive communication appears to be a prime candidate for such deceitful communication, because bluffing has been described in several species. Bluffing in these situations are supposed to be maintained by frequency dependent selection where the fitness of a given type depends on the frequencies of the other types in the population. Previous efforts to model such a scenario through individual based simulations have yielded conflicting results. Studies have either found a rich set of polymorphic strategies including the traditional cheating scenario or found none. Thus, the modelling assumptions responsible for these diverging conclusions remain unclear. Results In this study, I investigate the effects of four modelling assumptions: the role of an extended strategy set, the initial population composition (seeding), the differences in pay-offs and finally different parameter spaces. I investigate the effects of these factors on the evolvability of both honest and mixed cheating strategies. I show that both honest and cheating equilibria readily evolve and that the investigated parameter range and the seeding of the starting populations have the greatest influence on the outcome. Conclusions Both honest signalling and polymorphic cheating equilibria are more likely to evolve from a narrow strategy set than from a random mixture of strategies. A large potential strategy set is not a setback for the evolution of communication -honest or cheating- as long as the initial population is seeded with only a few strategies. In addition, different sections of the parameter space show consistently different behaviour. Thus, frequency dependent selection has the potential to explain various empirical observations that show consistent differences in aggressive behaviour. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12862-017-1112-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabolcs Számadó
- MTA TK "Lendület" Research Center for Educational and Network Studies (RECENS), Tóth Kálmán u. 4, Budapest, H-1097, Hungary.
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24
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Harrison SJ, Godin JGJ, Bertram SM. Influence of dietary nutrient balance on aggression and signalling in male field crickets. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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25
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Phillips JN, Derryberry EP. Equivalent effects of bandwidth and trill rate: support for a performance constraint as a competitive signal. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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26
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Hedley RW, Denton KK, Weiss RE. Accounting for syntax in analyses of countersinging reveals hidden vocal dynamics in a songbird with a large repertoire. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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27
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Krieg CA, Burnett AD. Female House Wrens may Use a Low‐Amplitude Call as an Aggressive Signal. Ethology 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cara A. Krieg
- Department of Integrative Biology Michigan State University East Lansing MI USA
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Hickory Corners MI USA
| | - Alexandra D. Burnett
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona Tucson AZ USA
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28
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Everyday bat vocalizations contain information about emitter, addressee, context, and behavior. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39419. [PMID: 28005079 PMCID: PMC5178335 DOI: 10.1038/srep39419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal vocal communication is often diverse and structured. Yet, the information concealed in animal vocalizations remains elusive. Several studies have shown that animal calls convey information about their emitter and the context. Often, these studies focus on specific types of calls, as it is rarely possible to probe an entire vocal repertoire at once. In this study, we continuously monitored Egyptian fruit bats for months, recording audio and video around-the-clock. We analyzed almost 15,000 vocalizations, which accompanied the everyday interactions of the bats, and were all directed toward specific individuals, rather than broadcast. We found that bat vocalizations carry ample information about the identity of the emitter, the context of the call, the behavioral response to the call, and even the call’s addressee. Our results underline the importance of studying the mundane, pairwise, directed, vocal interactions of animals.
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Montes-Medina AC, Salinas-Melgoza A, Renton K. Contextual flexibility in the vocal repertoire of an Amazon parrot. Front Zool 2016; 13:40. [PMID: 27570534 PMCID: PMC5000441 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-016-0169-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the role of avian vocal communication in social organisation requires knowledge of the vocal repertoire used to convey information. Parrots use acoustic signals in a variety of social contexts, but no studies have evaluated cross-functional use of acoustic signals by parrots, or whether these conform to signal design rules for different behavioural contexts. We statistically characterised the vocal repertoire of 61 free-living Lilac-crowned Amazons (Amazona finschi) in nine behavioural contexts (nesting, threat, alarm, foraging, perched, take-off, flight, landing, and food soliciting). We aimed to determine whether parrots demonstrated contextual flexibility in their vocal repertoire, and whether these acoustic signals follow design rules that could maximise communication. Results The Lilac-crowned Amazon had a diverse vocal repertoire of 101 note-types emitted at least twice, 58 of which were emitted ≥5 times. Threat and nesting contexts had the greatest variety and proportion of exclusive note-types, although the most common note-types were emitted in all behavioural contexts but with differing proportional contribution. Behavioural context significantly explained variation in acoustic features, where threat and nesting contexts had the highest mean frequencies and broad bandwidths, and alarm signals had a high emission rate of 3.6 notes/s. Three Principal Components explained 72.03 % of the variation in temporal and spectral characteristics of notes. Permutated Discriminant Function Analysis using these Principal Components demonstrated that 28 note-types (emitted by >1 individual) could be correctly classified and significantly discriminated from a random model. Conclusions Acoustic features of Lilac-crowned Amazon vocalisations in specific behavioural contexts conformed to signal design rules. Lilac-crowned Amazons modified the emission rate and proportional contribution of note-types used in each context, suggesting the use of graded and combinatorial variation to encode information. We propose that evaluation of vocal repertoires based on note-types would reflect the true extent of a species’ vocal flexibility, and the potential for combinatorial structures in parrot acoustic signals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12983-016-0169-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Christian Montes-Medina
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Salinas-Melgoza
- Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Ciudad Universitaria, Morelia, Michoacán Mexico
| | - Katherine Renton
- Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 21, San Patricio-Melaque, Chamela, Jalisco CP 48980 Mexico
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Franklin AM, Marshall NJ, Lewis SM. Multimodal signals: ultraviolet reflectance and chemical cues in stomatopod agonistic encounters. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2016; 3:160329. [PMID: 27853613 PMCID: PMC5108963 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Complex signals are commonly used during intraspecific contests over resources to assess an opponent's fighting ability and/or aggressive state. Stomatopod crustaceans may use complex signals when competing aggressively for refuges. Before physical attacks, stomatopods assess their opponents using chemical cues and perform threat displays showing a coloured patch, the meral spot. In some species, this spot reflects UV. However, despite their complex visual system with up to 20 photoreceptor classes, we do not know if stomatopods use chromatic or achromatic signals in contests. In a field study, we found that Neogonodactylus oerstedii meral spot luminance varies with sex, habitat and, more weakly, body length. Next, we conducted an experimental manipulation which demonstrated that both chemical cues and chromatic signals are used during contests. In the absence of chemical cues, stomatopods approached an occupied refuge more quickly and performed offensive behaviours at a lower rate. When UV reflectance was absent, stomatopods performed offensive behaviours more frequently and contest duration trended towards shorter fights. These results provide new evidence that UV reflectance and/or visible spectrum luminance is used to amplify threat displays. Our results are the first to demonstrate that chemical and chromatic cues comprise a multimodal signal in stomatopod contests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - N. Justin Marshall
- Sensory Neurobiology Group, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sara M. Lewis
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
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Cuttlefish perform multiple agonistic displays to communicate a hierarchy of threats. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2170-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Elie JE, Theunissen FE. The vocal repertoire of the domesticated zebra finch: a data-driven approach to decipher the information-bearing acoustic features of communication signals. Anim Cogn 2016; 19:285-315. [PMID: 26581377 PMCID: PMC5973879 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-015-0933-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although a universal code for the acoustic features of animal vocal communication calls may not exist, the thorough analysis of the distinctive acoustical features of vocalization categories is important not only to decipher the acoustical code for a specific species but also to understand the evolution of communication signals and the mechanisms used to produce and understand them. Here, we recorded more than 8000 examples of almost all the vocalizations of the domesticated zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata: vocalizations produced to establish contact, to form and maintain pair bonds, to sound an alarm, to communicate distress or to advertise hunger or aggressive intents. We characterized each vocalization type using complete representations that avoided any a priori assumptions on the acoustic code, as well as classical bioacoustics measures that could provide more intuitive interpretations. We then used these acoustical features to rigorously determine the potential information-bearing acoustical features for each vocalization type using both a novel regularized classifier and an unsupervised clustering algorithm. Vocalization categories are discriminated by the shape of their frequency spectrum and by their pitch saliency (noisy to tonal vocalizations) but not particularly by their fundamental frequency. Notably, the spectral shape of zebra finch vocalizations contains peaks or formants that vary systematically across categories and that would be generated by active control of both the vocal organ (source) and the upper vocal tract (filter).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Elie
- Department of Psychology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, 3210 Tolman Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Frédéric E Theunissen
- Department of Psychology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, 3210 Tolman Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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Akçay Ç, Clay A, Campbell SE, Beecher MD. The sparrow and the hawk: aggressive signaling under risk of predation. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Grieves LA, Logue DM, Quinn JS. Ready to Fight: Reliable Predictors of Attack in a Cooperatively Breeding, Non-Passerine Bird. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - David M Logue
- Department of Biology; University of Puerto Rico; Mayagüez PR USA
- Department of Psychology; University of Lethbridge; Lethbridge AB Canada
| | - Jim S Quinn
- Department of Biology; McMaster University; Hamilton ON Canada
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36
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Rubi TL, Stephens DW. Should receivers follow multiple signal components? An economic perspective. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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38
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Reichard DG, Anderson RC. Why signal softly? The structure, function and evolutionary significance of low-amplitude signals. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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39
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Akçay Ç, Anderson RC, Nowicki S, Beecher MD, Searcy WA. Quiet threats: soft song as an aggressive signal in birds. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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40
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Belinsky KL, Nemes CE, Schmidt KA. Two novel vocalizations are used by veeries (Catharus fuscescens) during agonistic interactions. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120933. [PMID: 25798825 PMCID: PMC4370839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian vocalizations are common examples of the complex signals used by animals to negotiate during agonistic interactions. In this study, we used two playback experiments to identify agonistic signals in a songbird species with several acoustically complex songs and calls, the veery. In the first experiment, we compared veery singing behavior in response to simulated territorial intrusions including playback of three variations of veery song: 1) song alone as a control, 2) songs with added whisper calls, and 3) songs with introductory notes removed. In the second experiment, we used multimodal stimuli including songs, whisper calls and songs with introductory notes removed, along with a robotic veery mount. Focal males readily responded to all of the playback stimuli, approached the speaker and/or robotic mount, and vocalized. Male veeries gave more whisper calls, and sang more songs without the introductory note in response to all types of playback. However, veeries responded similarly to all types of stimuli presented, and they failed to physically attack the robotic mount. These results indicate that rival veeries use two different types of novel vocalizations: whisper calls and songs lacking the introductory note as agonistic signals, but do not allow us to discern the specific functions of these two vocalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara L. Belinsky
- Biology Department, State University of New York New Paltz, New Paltz, New York, United States of America
| | - Claire E. Nemes
- Department of Biology, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Kenneth A. Schmidt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas United States of America
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41
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Kipper S, Kiefer S, Bartsch C, Weiss M. Female calling? Song responses to conspecific call playbacks in nightingales, Luscinia megarhynchos. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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42
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Korman A, Greenwald E, Feinerman O. Confidence sharing: an economic strategy for efficient information flows in animal groups. PLoS Comput Biol 2014; 10:e1003862. [PMID: 25275649 PMCID: PMC4183420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Social animals may share information to obtain a more complete and accurate picture of their surroundings. However, physical constraints on communication limit the flow of information between interacting individuals in a way that can cause an accumulation of errors and deteriorated collective behaviors. Here, we theoretically study a general model of information sharing within animal groups. We take an algorithmic perspective to identify efficient communication schemes that are, nevertheless, economic in terms of communication, memory and individual internal computation. We present a simple and natural algorithm in which each agent compresses all information it has gathered into a single parameter that represents its confidence in its behavior. Confidence is communicated between agents by means of active signaling. We motivate this model by novel and existing empirical evidences for confidence sharing in animal groups. We rigorously show that this algorithm competes extremely well with the best possible algorithm that operates without any computational constraints. We also show that this algorithm is minimal, in the sense that further reduction in communication may significantly reduce performances. Our proofs rely on the Cramér-Rao bound and on our definition of a Fisher Channel Capacity. We use these concepts to quantify information flows within the group which are then used to obtain lower bounds on collective performance. The abstract nature of our model makes it rigorously solvable and its conclusions highly general. Indeed, our results suggest confidence sharing as a central notion in the context of animal communication. Cooperative groups are abundant on all scales of the biological world. Despite much empirical evidence on a wide variety of natural communication schemes, there is still a growing need for rigorous tools to quantify and understand the information flows involved. Here, we borrow techniques from information theory and theoretical distributed computing to study information sharing within animal groups. We consider a group of individuals that integrate personal and social information to obtain improved knowledge of their surroundings. We rigorously show that communication between such individuals can be compressed into simple messages that contain an opinion and a corresponding confidence parameter. While this algorithm is extremely efficient, further reduction in communication capacity may greatly hamper collective performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Korman
- Laboratoire d'Informatique Algorithmique: Fondements et Applications (LIAFA), CNRS & University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Efrat Greenwald
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ofer Feinerman
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- * E-mail:
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43
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Vehrencamp SL, Ellis JM, Cropp BF, Koltz JM. Negotiation of territorial boundaries in a songbird. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 25:1436-1450. [PMID: 25419086 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
How do territorial neighbors resolve the location of their boundaries? We addressed this question by testing the predictions of 2 nonexclusive game theoretical models for competitive signaling: the sequential assessment game and the territorial bargaining game. Our study species, the banded wren, is a neotropical nonmigratory songbird living in densely packed territorial neighborhoods. The males possess repertoires of approximately 25 song types that are largely shared between neighbors and sequentially delivered with variable switching rates. Over 3 days, boundary disputes among pairs of neighboring males were synchronously recorded, their perch positions were marked, and their behavioral interactions were noted. For each countersinging interaction between 2 focal males, we quantified approach and retreat order, a variety of song and call patterns, closest approach distance, distance from the territorial center, and female presence. Aggressors produced more rattle-buzz songs during the approaching phase of interactions, whereas defenders overlapped their opponent's songs. During the close phase of the interaction, both males matched frequently, but the key determinant of which one retreated first was song-type diversity-first retreaters sang with a higher diversity. Retreaters also produced more unshared song types during the interaction, and in the retreating phase of the interaction, they overlapped more. A negative correlation between song-type diversity asymmetry and contest duration suggested sequential assessment of motivational asymmetry. The use of this graded signal, which varied with distance from the center and indicated a male's motivation to defend a particular position, supported the bargaining model. The bargaining game could be viewed as a series of sequential assessment contests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra L Vehrencamp
- Lab of Ornithology and Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Mudd Hall, 215 Tower Road, Cornell University , Ithaca, NY 14853 , USA
| | - Jesse M Ellis
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Terasaki Life Sciences Bldg, 610 Charles E. Young East, University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles, CA 90095 , USA , and
| | - Brett F Cropp
- Division of Health Sciences Informatics, 2024 East Monument Street, Suite 1-200, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD 21205 , USA
| | - John M Koltz
- Lab of Ornithology and Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Mudd Hall, 215 Tower Road, Cornell University , Ithaca, NY 14853 , USA
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44
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Lachlan RF, Anderson RC, Peters S, Searcy WA, Nowicki S. Typical versions of learned swamp sparrow song types are more effective signals than are less typical versions. Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20140252. [PMID: 24807252 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The learned songs of songbirds often cluster into population-wide types. Here, we test the hypothesis that male and female receivers respond differently to songs depending on how typical of those types they are. We used computational methods to cluster a large sample of swamp sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) songs into types and to estimate the degree to which individual song exemplars are typical of these types. We then played exemplars to male and female receivers. Territorial males responded more aggressively and captive females performed more sexual displays in response to songs that are highly typical than to songs that are less typical. Previous studies have demonstrated that songbirds distinguish song types that are typical for their species, or for their population, from those that are not. Our results show that swamp sparrows also discriminate typical from less typical exemplars within learned song-type categories. In addition, our results suggest that more typical versions of song types function better, at least in male-female communication. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that syllable type typicality serves as a proxy for the assessment of song learning accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Lachlan
- Department of Biology, Duke University, , Durham, NC 27708, USA, Department of Biology, University of Miami, , Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA, Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical School, , Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Petrusková T, Kinštová A, Pišvejcová I, Mula Laguna J, Cortezón A, Brinke T, Petrusek A. Variation in Trill Characteristics in Tree Pipit Songs: Different Trills for Different Use? Ethology 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Petrusková
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague 2 Czech Republic
| | - Anna Kinštová
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague 2 Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Pišvejcová
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague 2 Czech Republic
| | - Juan Mula Laguna
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague 2 Czech Republic
| | - Adrián Cortezón
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague 2 Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Brinke
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague 2 Czech Republic
| | - Adam Petrusek
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague 2 Czech Republic
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46
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Searcy WA, Akçay C, Nowicki S, Beecher MD. Aggressive Signaling in Song Sparrows and Other Songbirds. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800286-5.00003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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47
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Akçay C, Campbell SE, Beecher MD. Individual differences affect honest signalling in a songbird. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 281:20132496. [PMID: 24307671 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.2496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in the past decade has established the existence of consistent individual differences or 'personality' in animals and their important role in many aspects of animal behaviour. At the same time, research on honest signalling of aggression has revealed that while some of the putative aggression signals are reliable, they are only imperfectly so. This study asks whether a significant portion of the variance in the aggression-signal regression may be explained by individual differences in signalling strategies. Using the well-studied aggressive signalling system of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), we carried out repeated assays to measure both aggressive behaviours and aggressive signalling of territorial males. Through these assays, we found that aggressive behaviours and aggressive signalling were both highly repeatable, and moreover that aggressive behaviours in 2009-2010 predicted whether the birds would attack a taxidermic mount over a year later. Most significantly, we found that residual variation in signalling behaviours, after controlling for aggressive behaviour, was individually consistent, suggesting there may be a second personality trait determining the level of aggressive signalling. We term this potential personality trait 'communicativeness' and discuss these results in the context of honest signalling theories and recent findings reporting prevalence of 'under-signalling'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caglar Akçay
- Departments of Psychology and Biology, University of Washington, , Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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48
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Soft calls and broadcast calls in the corncrake as adaptations to short and long range communication. Behav Processes 2013; 99:121-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2013.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 07/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Linhart P, Jaška P, Petrusková T, Petrusek A, Fuchs R. Being angry, singing fast? Signalling of aggressive motivation by syllable rate in a songbird with slow song. Behav Processes 2013; 100:139-45. [PMID: 24050853 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2013.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Syllable rate has been shown to play a role in male-male aggressive interactions and has been proposed to serve as a male quality indicator in several bird species. In those with fast syllable rates, males often increase rates when singing in aggressive context, and respond differently to test stimuli of varying rates. We asked whether the syllable rate fulfils a similar signalling function in the chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), a songbird species with a slow syllable rate. We confronted 36 chiffchaff males with one of three playback types differing in syllable rate: control (non-manipulated rate), fast, or slow (artificially increased and decreased syllable rate, respectively). We recorded tested males' songs and behaviour before and during the experiment. Our results indicate that syllable rate might be an aggressive signal in chiffchaff. Males that physically attacked the loudspeaker during experiments sang faster songs spontaneously, and those that continued singing during the playback responded to fast and non-manipulated stimuli with substantial increase of syllable rate. Indirect evidence further suggests that syllable rate in chiffchaff is unlikely constrained by respiratory demands; thus, we propose that syllable rate in this species functions as a conventional signal of male aggressiveness rather than an index of quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Linhart
- Ethology Department, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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Moseley DL, Lahti DC, Podos J. Responses to song playback vary with the vocal performance of both signal senders and receivers. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20131401. [PMID: 23945685 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.1401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mating signals of many animal species are difficult to produce and thus should indicate signaler quality. Growing evidence suggests that receivers modulate their behaviour in response to signals with varying performance levels, although little is known about if and how responses are affected by receiver attributes. To explore this topic we conducted two experiments with swamp sparrows, Melospiza georgiana, in which we challenged territorial males with playback of songs with trill rates that were natural, digitally reduced, or digitally elevated (control-, low- and high-performance stimuli, respectively). In our first experiment, we found that males responded more aggressively to control songs than to low-performance stimuli, that low-performance stimuli with the most severe trill-rate reductions elicited the weakest aggressive responses, and that the subjects' own trill rates predicted aggressive responses. In our second experiment, we found that male responses to high-performance stimuli varied significantly, in ways predicted by two factors: the degree to which we had elevated stimulus performance levels of high-performance stimuli, and subjects' own vocal performance levels. Specifically, males were less aggressive towards stimuli for which we had elevated performance levels to higher degrees, and subject males with higher vocal performances themselves responded more aggressively. These findings together offer a novel illustration of how responses to aggressive signals may rely not just on signal attributes, but also on attributes of responding animals themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana L Moseley
- Department of Biology and Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 611 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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