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Liao CC, Magrath RD, Manser MB, Farine DR. The relative contribution of acoustic signals versus movement cues in group coordination and collective decision-making. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230184. [PMID: 38768199 PMCID: PMC11391321 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
To benefit from group living, individuals need to maintain cohesion and coordinate their activities. Effective communication thus becomes critical, facilitating rapid coordination of behaviours and reducing consensus costs when group members have differing needs and information. In many bird and mammal species, collective decisions rely on acoustic signals in some contexts but on movement cues in others. Yet, to date, there is no clear conceptual framework that predicts when decisions should evolve to be based on acoustic signals versus movement cues. Here, we first review how acoustic signals and movement cues are used for coordinating activities. We then outline how information masking, discrimination ability (Weber's Law) and encoding limitations, as well as trade-offs between these, can identify which types of collective behaviours likely rely on acoustic signals or movement cues. Specifically, our framework proposes that behaviours involving the timing of events or expression of specific actions should rely more on acoustic signals, whereas decisions involving complex choices with multiple options (e.g. direction and destination) should generally use movement cues because sounds are more vulnerable to information masking and Weber's Law effects. We then discuss potential future avenues of enquiry, including multimodal communication and collective decision-making by mixed-species animal groups. This article is part of the theme issue 'The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamic'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Chieh Liao
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University , Canberra, ACT , 2600, Australia
| | - Robert D Magrath
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University , Canberra, ACT , 2600, Australia
| | - Marta B Manser
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich , Zürich , 8057, Switzerland
| | - Damien R Farine
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University , Canberra, ACT , 2600, Australia
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich , Zürich , 8057, Switzerland
- Department of Collective Behavior, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior , Radolfzell , 78315, Germany
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Demartsev V, Averly B, Johnson-Ulrich L, Sridhar VH, Leonardos L, Vining A, Thomas M, Manser MB, Strandburg-Peshkin A. Mapping vocal interactions in space and time differentiates signal broadcast versus signal exchange in meerkat groups. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230188. [PMID: 38768207 PMCID: PMC11391280 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal vocal communication research traditionally focuses on acoustic and contextual features of calls, yet substantial information is also contained in response selectivity and timing during vocalization events. By examining the spatiotemporal structure of vocal interactions, we can distinguish between 'broadcast' and 'exchange' signalling modes, with the former potentially serving to transmit signallers' general state and the latter reflecting more interactive signalling behaviour. Here, we tracked the movements and vocalizations of wild meerkat (Suricata suricatta) groups simultaneously using collars to explore this distinction. We found evidence that close calls (used for maintaining group cohesion) are given as signal exchanges. They are typically given in temporally structured call-response sequences and are also strongly affected by the social environment, with individuals calling more when they have more neighbours and juveniles responding more to adults than the reverse. In contrast, short note calls appear mainly in sequences produced by single individuals and show little dependence on social surroundings, suggesting a broadcast signalling mode. Despite these differences, both call categories show similar clustering in space and time at a group level. Our results highlight how the fine-scale structure of vocal interactions can give important insights into the usage and function of signals in social groups. This article is part of the theme issue 'The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamics.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlad Demartsev
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior , Konstanz 78467, Germany
- Kalahari Research Centre , Van Zylsrus 8467, South Africa
| | - Baptiste Averly
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior , Konstanz 78467, Germany
- Kalahari Research Centre , Van Zylsrus 8467, South Africa
| | - Lily Johnson-Ulrich
- Kalahari Research Centre , Van Zylsrus 8467, South Africa
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich , Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Vivek H Sridhar
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior , Konstanz 78467, Germany
| | - Leonardos Leonardos
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior , Konstanz 78467, Germany
| | - Alexander Vining
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California , Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Mara Thomas
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
| | - Marta B Manser
- Kalahari Research Centre , Van Zylsrus 8467, South Africa
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich , Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Interdisciplinary Center for the Evolution of Language, University of Zurich , Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior , Konstanz 78467, Germany
- Kalahari Research Centre , Van Zylsrus 8467, South Africa
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Johnson-Ulrich L, Demartsev V, Johnson L, Brown E, Strandburg-Peshkin A, Manser MB. Directional speakers as a tool for animal vocal communication studies. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230489. [PMID: 37234494 PMCID: PMC10206473 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Audio playbacks are a common experimental tool in vocal communication research. However, low directionality of sound makes it hard to control the audience exposed to the stimuli. Parametric speakers offer a solution for transmitting directional audible signals by using ultrasonic carrier waves. The targeted transmission of vocal signals offers exciting opportunities for testing the diffusion of information in animal groups and mechanisms for resolving informational ambiguities. We have field tested the quality and directionality of a commercial parametric speaker, Soundlazer SL-01. Additionally, we assessed its usability for performing playback experiments by comparing behavioural responses of free-ranging meerkats (Suricata suricatta) with calls transmitted from conventional and parametric speakers. Our results show that the tested parametric speaker is highly directional. However, the acoustic structure of meerkat calls was strongly affected and low frequencies were not reliably reproduced by the parametric speaker. The playback trials elicited weakened behavioural responses probably due to the partial distortion of the signal but also indicating the potential importance of social facilitation for initiating mobbing events in meerkats. We conclude that parametric speakers can be useful tools for directed transmission of animals calls but after a careful assessment of signal fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Johnson-Ulrich
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Kalahari Research Centre, Van Zylsrus, 8467 Northern Cape, South Africa
| | - Vlad Demartsev
- Kalahari Research Centre, Van Zylsrus, 8467 Northern Cape, South Africa
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz 78467, Germany
| | - Laurie Johnson
- Kalahari Research Centre, Van Zylsrus, 8467 Northern Cape, South Africa
| | - Emma Brown
- Kalahari Research Centre, Van Zylsrus, 8467 Northern Cape, South Africa
| | - Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin
- Kalahari Research Centre, Van Zylsrus, 8467 Northern Cape, South Africa
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78464, Germany
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz 78467, Germany
| | - Marta B. Manser
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Interdisciplinary Center for the Evolution of Language, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Kalahari Research Centre, Van Zylsrus, 8467 Northern Cape, South Africa
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Engesser S, Manser MB. Collective close calling mediates group cohesion in foraging meerkats via spatially determined differences in call rates. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Toni P, Gall GEC, Clutton-Brock TH, Manser MB. Signalling adjustments to direct and indirect environmental effects on signal perception in meerkats. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238313. [PMID: 32853231 PMCID: PMC7451564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of communication between animals is determined by the perception range of signals. With changes in the environment, signal transmission between a sender and a receiver can be influenced both directly, where the signal's propagation quality itself is affected, and indirectly where the senders or receivers' behaviour is impaired, impacting for example the distance between them. Here we investigated how meerkats (Suricata suricatta) in the Kalahari Desert adjust to these challenges in the context of maintaining group cohesion through contact calls. We found that meerkats changed their calling rate when signal transmission was affected indirectly due to increased dispersion of group members as during a drought, but not under typical wet conditions, when signal transmission was directly affected due to higher vegetation density. Instead under these wetter conditions, meerkats remained within proximity to each other. Overall, both direct and indirect environmental effects on signal perception resulted in an increased probability of groups splitting. In conclusion, we provide evidence that social animals can flexibly adjust their vocal coordination behaviour to cope with direct and indirect effects of the environment on signal perception, but these adjustments have limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Toni
- Kalahari Meerkat Project, Kuruman River Reserve, Northern Cape, South Africa
| | - Gabriella E. C. Gall
- Kalahari Meerkat Project, Kuruman River Reserve, Northern Cape, South Africa
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tim H. Clutton-Brock
- Kalahari Meerkat Project, Kuruman River Reserve, Northern Cape, South Africa
- LARG, Department of Zoology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Marta B. Manser
- Kalahari Meerkat Project, Kuruman River Reserve, Northern Cape, South Africa
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Teixeira D, Maron M, Rensburg BJ. Bioacoustic monitoring of animal vocal behavior for conservation. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniella Teixeira
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Martine Maron
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Berndt J. Rensburg
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
- Department of Zoology, DST‐NRF Centre for Invasion BiologyUniversity of Johannesburg Johannesburg South Africa
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Sharing playful mood: rapid facial mimicry in Suricata suricatta. Anim Cogn 2019; 22:719-732. [PMID: 31115791 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-019-01269-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
One of the most productive behavioural domains to study visual communication in mammals is social play. The ability to manage play-fighting interactions can favour the development of communicative modules and their correct decoding. Due to their high levels of social cohesion and cooperation, slender-tailed meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are a very good model to test some hypotheses on the role of facial communication in synchronizing playful motor actions. We found that the relaxed open mouth (ROM), a playful facial expression conveying a positive mood in several social mammals, is also present in meerkats. ROM was mainly perceived during dyadic playful sessions compared to polyadic ones. We also found that meerkats mimic in a very rapid and automatic way the ROM emitted by playmates (Rapid Facial Mimicry, RFM). RFM was positively correlated with the relationship quality shared by subjects, thus suggesting that the mimicry phenomenon is socially modulated. Moreover, more than the mere presence of isolated ROMs, the presence of at RFM prolonged the duration of the play session. Through RFM animals can share the emotional mood, they are experiencing and this appears to be particularly adaptive in those species, whose relationships are not inhibited by rank rules and when animals build and maintain their bonds through social affiliation. The meerkat society is cohesive and cooperative. Such features could have, therefore, favoured the evolution of facial mimicry, a phenomenon linked to emotional contagion, one of the most basic forms of empathy.
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