A game theoretic approach to multimodal communication

Wilson, Alistair J.; Dean, Mark; Higham, James P.

doi:10.1007/s00265-013-1589-3

Cited by 40 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…visual or acoustic cues) [2][3][4]. Moreover, recent theory suggests that multicomponent signals are often favoured over simple signals [5]. For example, complex signals may arise if redundant signals act as 'backups' to ensure signal transmission to intended receivers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multimodal signalling in the North American barn swallow: a phenotype network approach

et al. 2015

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Complex signals, involving multiple components within and across modalities, are common in animal communication. However, decomposing complex signals into traits and their interactions remains a fundamental challenge for studies of phenotype evolution. We apply a novel phenotype network approach for studying complex signal evolution in the North American barn swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster). We integrate model testing with correlation-based phenotype networks to infer the contributions of female mate choice and male-male competition to the evolution of barn swallow communication. Overall, the best predictors of mate choice were distinct from those for competition, while moderate functional overlap suggests males and females use some of the same traits to assess potential mates and rivals. We interpret model results in the context of a network of traits, and suggest this approach allows researchers a more nuanced view of trait clustering patterns that informs new hypotheses about the evolution of communication systems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multimodal signalling in the North American barn swallow: a phenotype network approach

et al. 2015

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“…It is therefore likely that increased acoustic complexity distracts the bat rather than masks the tú ngara frog call. It has been hypothesized that animals should incorporate additional cues when information obtained from one cue becomes uncertain [11,41] and that cues that are received through different sensory systems are particularly useful to deal with environmental complexity [13]. We have previously shown that fringe-lipped bats echolocate from their perch in our robotic rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org Proc.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many predators, however, hunt in environments in which the sensory conditions fluctuate widely over the day and across seasons. Under fluctuating environmental conditions, the use of multimodal cues might balance the increased cost associated with perceptual processing [12,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Multimodal cue use can be particularly useful when the perceptual conditions in one sensory modality become increasingly complex [11][12][13]. Males of some frog species that call near forest streams, for example, show elaborate foot-waving displays [16,17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The perceptual benefits of multimodal cues for receivers probably depend on the environmental sensory conditions in which animals search for mates or hunt for prey [9][10][11][12][13]. Predators can be very efficient at using prey cues from single sensory modalities, such as mantis shrimps or dragonflies, which are highly specialized to hunt with their vision [14,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multimodal cues improve prey localization under complex environmental conditions

Rhebergen¹,

Taylor

Ryan

et al. 2015

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Predators often eavesdrop on sexual displays of their prey. These displays can provide multimodal cues that aid predators, but the benefits in attending to them should depend on the environmental sensory conditions under which they forage. We assessed whether bats hunting for frogs use multimodal cues to locate their prey and whether their use varies with ambient conditions. We used a robotic set-up mimicking the sexual display of a male tú ngara frog (Physalaemus pustulosus) to test prey assessment by fringe-lipped bats (Trachops cirrhosus). These predatory bats primarily use sound of the frog's call to find their prey, but the bats also use echolocation cues returning from the frog's dynamically moving vocal sac. In the first experiment, we show that multimodal cues affect attack behaviour: bats made narrower flank attack angles on multimodal trials compared with unimodal trials during which they could only rely on the sound of the frog. In the second experiment, we explored the bat's use of prey cues in an acoustically more complex environment. Tú ngara frogs often form mixed-species choruses with other frogs, including the hourglass frog (Dendropsophus ebraccatus). Using a multi-speaker set-up, we tested bat approaches and attacks on the robofrog under three different levels of acoustic complexity: no calling D. ebraccatus males, two calling D. ebraccatus males and five D. ebraccatus males. We found that bats are more directional in their approach to the robofrog when more D. ebraccatus males were calling. Thus, bats seemed to benefit more from multimodal cues when confronted with increased levels of acoustic complexity in their foraging environments. Our data have important consequences for our understanding of the evolution of multimodal sexual displays as they reveal how environmental conditions can alter the natural selection pressures acting on them.

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Macaque Fertility Signals

Higham

Dubuc

2015

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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Females of many animal species exhibit signals of fertility, but few animal groups do so with such prevalence, diversity of signal types, and variability between closely related species, as anthropoid primates. An excellent group for studying the evolution of such signals is the macaques, a group of some 22 species of Old World monkey. The macaques exhibit the same general mating system, but a great amount of inter‐specific variation in the type and number of different signals they display. In this article, we discuss the evolution of these traits, including the types of variation in fertility that they may indicate and the hormonal mechanisms that underlie them. We discuss the different signals that macaques exhibit, and review the distribution and abundance of these signals across species. Even closely related species differ in the type and number of signals displayed, as well as in their apparent accuracy in reflecting the timing of female ovulation. We offer some potential explanations for this variation, though much is still poorly understood. We finish by discussing future directions for research that are likely to prove fruitful. Key Concepts Females of many anthropoid primates, including macaques, exhibit signals of fertility. Macaque signals of fertility include swellings of the hindquarters, changes in facial colour, olfactory signals, and auditory oestrus and copulation calls. Three types of variation in fertility might potentially be communicated to others: intra‐cycle variation in the probability of ovulation; inter‐cycle, intra‐female variation in the probability of conception in that cycle, and inter‐female differences in overall fecundity. The expression of intra‐cycle signals of the probability of ovulation is linked to the hormones oestrogen (positively) and progesterone (negatively). There is a great deal of inter‐specific variation in the presence and type of fertility signals shown, as well as in their apparent accuracy in reflecting ovulatory function. Though we understand some of the evolutionary pressures that may have led to inter‐specific variation, the sources of much of the variation remain unclear.

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A game theoretic approach to multimodal communication

Cited by 40 publications

References 81 publications

Multimodal signalling in the North American barn swallow: a phenotype network approach

Multimodal signalling in the North American barn swallow: a phenotype network approach

Multimodal cues improve prey localization under complex environmental conditions

Macaque Fertility Signals

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