Does social complexity link vocal complexity and cooperation?

Abstract

In some avian species, individuals spend most of their lives in complex social groups. A recent hypothesis argues that social complexity will drive complexity in signaling systems. According to this hypothesis, individuals living in more complex groups (larger and with greater diversity of interactions) require larger and more diverse repertoires of signals, compared to individuals living in groups that are relatively simple in social structure. Social complexity has also been argued to be an important driver of social cognition and cooperation. Although many of these arguments have been based on empirical findings with non-human primates, similar evidence is beginning to emerge from avian studies. Here, we discuss some of this avian evidence, with an emphasis on two model species: Carolina chickadees, Poecile carolinensis (Paridae), and pied flycatchers, Ficedula hypoleuca. In Carolina chickadees, variation in the structure of chicka-dee calls influences behavior of receivers in pro-social and potentially cooperative ways in anti-predator and food detection contexts. In pied flycatchers, breeding individuals were much less likely to travel greater distances to assist in mobbing predators near their conspecific neighbors if those neighbors had failed to assist them in mobbing earlier.More research is needed to determine whether communicative complexity per se makes sophisticated social cognition possible, such as reconciliation and cooperation (and whether the latter might stem from reciprocal altruism or less cognitively demanding processes like conspecific by-product mutualism).

Bioacoustic monitoring of animal vocal behavior for conservation

“…Sociality begets complexity, and animals that live in complex societies are thought to exhibit more complex vocal repertoires because they have more social interactions to navigate. Pro-social behaviors, like cooperation, collaboration, and reciprocity (Krams, Krama, Freeberg, Kullberg, & Lucas, 2012) are posited to be facilitated by complex vocal abilities Freeberg & Krams, 2015). Termed the social complexity hypothesis for vocal communication Kershenbaum & Blumstein, 2017), it is supported both in primates and birds (Leighton, 2017;McComb & Semple, 2005).…”

“…Pro-social behaviors, like cooperation, collaboration, and reciprocity (Krams, Krama, Freeberg, Kullberg, & Lucas, 2012) are posited to be facilitated by complex vocal abilities Freeberg & Krams, 2015). Pro-social behaviors, like cooperation, collaboration, and reciprocity (Krams, Krama, Freeberg, Kullberg, & Lucas, 2012) are posited to be facilitated by complex vocal abilities Freeberg & Krams, 2015).…”

Endocranial anatomy and life habits of the Early Triassic archosauriformProterosuchus fergusi

“…Sociality and vocality are integrally linked, with research suggesting social complexity has driven both vocal complexity and cognition in vertebrates (Blumstein & Armitage ; Freeberg et al . ; Freeberg & Krams ; Sewall ). Species that form larger and more complex social systems require a more complex vocal system to work together effectively.…”

“…As a ventrally‐extended ECD has been linked to increased auditory acuity (as previously discussed), perhaps the evolution of this derived trait marked a significant increase in auditory ability, vocality, sociality and cognition, all of which are thought to be integrally linked (Blumstein & Armitage ; Freeberg et al . ; Freeberg & Krams ; Sewall ). These developments may potentially have contributed to the radiation of archosaurs during the Triassic and Early Jurassic.…”

“…Vocality and auditory ability are also considered to be indicators of sociality and cognitive ability, since larger more complex groups require better communicative skills to work together efficiently (Blumstein & Armitage ; Freeberg et al . ; Freeberg & Krams ; Sewall ). This is corroborated by Walsh et al .…”