ANIMAL COMMUNICATION and INFORMATION

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ANIMAL COMMUNICATION and INFORMATION

TRANSFER

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COMMUNICATION some definitions.
- Transfer of information from a signaler to a
receiver (textbook)

• The provision of information that can be
  utilized by a receiver
• to make a decision (Bradbury and Vehrencamp
  1998)

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Transfer of information from a signaler to a
receiver
an abstract property of events and entities
that makes their characteristics predictable to
individuals(It) enables individuals to make
choices, to select their activitiesappropriately
for their needs and opportunities (Smith
1977193).
- Reduces uncertainty - Change in the receiver in
some functional way
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INFO
Signaler
Receiver (intended)
(sender)
(recipient)
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• Non-signals
• - Hoof beats of prey
• Rattle of a rattlesnake
• Observing anothers
• choice of mate
• Seeing a dead animal
• Call of a predator

INFO
INFO
Signaler
Receiver (intended)
(sender)
(recipient)
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SOCIAL EAVESDROPPER
INFO
DYAD
Signaler
Receiver (intended)
(sender)
(recipient)
INTERCEPTIVE
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HONESTY and Signals
Change a receivers behavior in a way that
benefits the signaler (Krebs and Dawkins)
HANDICAP PRINCIPLE (Zahavi) signals are honest
b/c they are costly
Signals are reliable on average, i.e., it pays
more, on average, to trust the signal than to
ignore it
This sets up several situations which may not be
reliable

• Mistakes are made
• Random variation in the relationship between
  signal and information
• Deception signaler gives a signal for X when
  X does not exist, but
• where receivers
  response to X benefits the signaler

- alarm calls, mimicry (e.g. fireflies)
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Signals as Vehicles of Information Auditory/voca
l Olfaction (chemical) Electrical Visual Mecha
nical (touch, vibration)
http//homepages.ius.edu/RHUNT01/research/Graminel
la.htm
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Kroodsma 4
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• chick-a-dee call consists of 3-4 notes
• ABCD, but can be given as
• ABCD
• ABCDD
• ABD
• ACBD
• .repeat, remove, change order

There can be frequency shifts
Then consider other possibilities by human
analogy I Love You
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Avian Vocalizations calls alarm, mobbing,
distress
Table of Selective Pressures
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• Convergence among raptor alarm calls
• Response to similar selective pressures
• to reduce detectability and localizability

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Traits to minimize detectability - Low
amplitude e.g., BCCH alarm 55dB mobbing 60-
65dB - Outside the auditory sensitivity of
predator
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Traits to minimize localizability - non-abrupt
start/finish and unmmodulated to minimize
timing of arrival differences - High frequency
to eliminate localization based on phase
(i.e., pressure) differences
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• Mobbing calls
• Broad band
• Modulated
• Non-abruptness
• Repeated
• Loud

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Templeton et al Science 3081934-1937
Chickadee mobbing calls are referential to
aspects of predation risk i.e., more D-notes
signals smaller predator, greater risk
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(No Transcript)
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CACH response to ETTI calls in response to
predator
ETTI calls in response to predator type
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INFO
Signaler
Receiver (intended)
(sender)
(recipient)
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Alarm calls and Eavesdropping
INFO
Signaler
Receiver (intended)
(sender)
(recipient)
Tufted Titmouse
INTERCEPTIVE
Templeton et al. Hetrick and Sieving
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Alarm calls and Eavesdropping
INFO
Signaler
Receiver (intended)
(sender)
(recipient)
Tufted Titmouse
INTERCEPTIVE