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Zhao L, Zhong G, Liu Q, Zhang X, Wang J, Liang W. Behavioral responses to predator and heterospecific alarm calls are habitat-specific in Eurasian tree sparrows. Behav Processes 2024; 218:105043. [PMID: 38692462 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Acoustic communication plays a vital role in predator-prey interactions. Although habitat structure has been shown to affect anti-predator tactics, little is known about how animals vary their behaviors in response to predator calls or heterospecific alarm calls in different environments. Here we used sound playbacks to test the responses of Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus) foraging in harvested/unharvested rice paddy and open residential area. In the first experiment, we tested their behavioral responses to dove calls, male common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) calls, hawk-like calls mimicked by female common cuckoo, sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) calls, and human yell calls produced to scare birds (predator signal playbacks). In the second experiment, we tested their behavioral responses to the Japanese tit's (Parus minor) territorial songs and alarm calls (heterospecific alarm signal playbacks). Results showed that the tree sparrows had less fleeing in unharvested ripe rice paddy than in harvested rice paddy and open residential area. In predator signal playbacks, call type affected the escape behavior of sparrows in unharvested rice paddy and open residential area but not harvested rice paddy. In alarm signal playbacks, tit alarm calls evoked more fleeing than territorial songs in harvested rice paddy and open residential area but not unharvested rice paddy. These results suggest that anthropogenic habitat changes may influence avian anti-predator tactics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longhui Zhao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
| | - Guo Zhong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
| | - Qiqi Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
| | - Jichao Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China.
| | - Wei Liang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China.
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Leavell BC, Pantoja-Sánchez H, Vélez V, Hemingway CT, Wilhite K, Halfwerk W, Bernal XE. Ripple effects in a communication network: anti-eavesdropper defence elicits elaborated sexual signals in rival males. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231910. [PMID: 38113943 PMCID: PMC10730286 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Emitting conspicuous signals into the environment to attract mates comes with the increased risk of interception by eavesdropping enemies. As a defence, a commonly described strategy is for signallers to group together in leks, diluting each individual's risk. Lekking systems are often highly social settings in which competing males dynamically alter their signalling behaviour to attract mates. Thus, signalling at the lek requires navigating fluctuations in risk, competition and reproductive opportunities. Here, we investigate how behavioural defence strategies directed at an eavesdropping enemy have cascading effects across the communication network. We investigated these behaviours in the túngara frog (Engystomops pustulosus), examining how a calling male's swatting defence directed at frog-biting midges indirectly affects the calling behaviour of his rival. We found that the rival responds to swat-induced water ripples by increasing his call rate and complexity. Then, performing phonotaxis experiments, we found that eavesdropping fringe-lipped bats (Trachops cirrhosus) do not exhibit a preference for a swatting male compared to his rival, but females strongly prefer the rival male. Defences to minimize attacks from eavesdroppers thus shift the mate competition landscape in favour of rival males. By modulating the attractiveness of signalling prey to female receivers, we posit that eavesdropping micropredators likely have an unappreciated impact on the ecology and evolution of sexual communication systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C. Leavell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Hoover Pantoja-Sánchez
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Viviana Vélez
- Program of Study and Control of Tropical Diseases, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Claire T. Hemingway
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kyle Wilhite
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Wouter Halfwerk
- Department of Ecological Science, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ximena E. Bernal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, Balboa, Ancón, Panamá
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Monari PK, Herro ZJ, Bymers J, Marler CA. Chronic intranasal oxytocin increases acoustic eavesdropping and adult neurogenesis. Horm Behav 2023; 156:105443. [PMID: 37871536 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Social information gathering is a complex process influenced by neuroendocrine-modulated neural plasticity. Oxytocin (OXT) is a key regulator of social decision-making processes such as information gathering, as it contextually modulates social salience and can induce long-term structural plasticity, including neurogenesis. Understanding the link between OXT-induced plasticity and communicative awareness is crucial, particularly because OXT is being considered for treatment of social pathologies. We investigated the role of chronic OXT-dependent plasticity in attention to novel social information by manipulating the duration of time following cessation of intranasal treatment to allow for the functional integration of adult-born neurons resulting from OXT treatment. Following a 3-week delay, chronic intranasal OXT (IN-OXT) increased approach behavior of both female and male mice towards aggressive vocal playbacks of two unseen novel conspecifics, while no effect was observed after a 3-day delay. Immature neurons increased in the ventral hippocampus of females and males treated with chronic IN-OXT after the 3-week delay, indicating a potential association between ventral hippocampal neurogenesis and approach/acoustic eavesdropping. The less the mouse approached, the higher the level of neurogenesis. Contrary to expectations, the correlation between ventral hippocampal neurogenesis and approach behavior was not affected by IN-OXT, suggesting that other plasticity mechanisms underlie the long-term effects of chronic OXT on social approach. Furthermore, we found a negative correlation between ventral hippocampal neurogenesis and freezing behavior. Overall, our results demonstrate that chronic IN-OXT-induced long-term plasticity can influence approach to vocal information and we further reinforced the link between neurogenesis and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick K Monari
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Zachary J Herro
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jessica Bymers
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
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Jirik KJ, Dominguez JA, Abdulkarim I, Glaaser J, Stoian ES, Almanza LJ, Lee N. Parasitoid-host eavesdropping reveals temperature coupling of preferences to communication signals without genetic coupling. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230775. [PMID: 37583323 PMCID: PMC10427829 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Receivers of acoustic communication signals evaluate signal features to identify conspecifics. Changes in the ambient temperature can alter these features, rendering species recognition a challenge. To maintain effective communication, temperature coupling-changes in receiver signal preferences that parallel temperature-induced changes in signal parameters-occurs among genetically coupled signallers and receivers. Whether eavesdroppers of communication signals exhibit temperature coupling is unknown. Here, we investigate if the parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea, an eavesdropper of cricket calling songs, exhibits song pulse rate preferences that are temperature coupled. We use a high-speed treadmill system to record walking phonotaxis at three ambient temperatures (21, 25, and 30°C) in response to songs that varied in pulse rates (20 to 90 pulses per second). Total walking distance, peak steering velocity, angular heading, and the phonotaxis performance index varied with song pulse rates and ambient temperature. The peak of phonotaxis performance index preference functions became broader and shifted to higher pulse rate values at higher temperatures. Temperature-related changes in cricket songs between 21 and 30°C did not drastically affect the ability of flies to recognize cricket calling songs. These results confirm that temperature coupling can occur in eavesdroppers that are not genetically coupled with signallers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Iya Abdulkarim
- Department of Biology, St Olaf College, Northfield, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Norman Lee
- Department of Biology, St Olaf College, Northfield, MN, USA
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Reichert MS, Bolek MG, McCullagh EA. Parasite effects on receivers in animal communication: Hidden impacts on behavior, ecology, and evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300186120. [PMID: 37459523 PMCID: PMC10372545 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300186120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites exert a profound effect on biological processes. In animal communication, parasite effects on signalers are well-known drivers of the evolution of communication systems. Receiver behavior is also likely to be altered when they are parasitized or at risk of parasitism, but these effects have received much less attention. Here, we present a broad framework for understanding the consequences of parasitism on receivers for behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary processes. First, we outline the different kinds of effects parasites can have on receivers, including effects on signal processing from the many parasites that inhabit, occlude, or damage the sensory periphery and the central nervous system or that affect physiological processes that support these organs, and effects on receiver response strategies. We then demonstrate how understanding parasite effects on receivers could answer important questions about the mechanistic causes and functional consequences of variation in animal communication systems. Variation in parasitism levels is a likely source of among-individual differences in response to signals, which can affect receiver fitness and, through effects on signaler fitness, impact population levels of signal variability. The prevalence of parasitic effects on specific sensory organs may be an important selective force for the evolution of elaborate and multimodal signals. Finally, host-parasite coevolution across heterogeneous landscapes will generate geographic variation in communication systems, which could ultimately lead to evolutionary divergence. We discuss applications of experimental techniques to manipulate parasitism levels and point the way forward by calling for integrative research collaborations between parasitologists, neurobiologists, and behavioral and evolutionary ecologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Reichert
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK74078
| | - Matthew G. Bolek
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK74078
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Bernal XE, Leavell BC, Page RA. Assessing patterns of eavesdropper risk on sexual signals and the use of meta-analysis in behavioural ecology: a comment on: 'The exploitation of sexual signals by predators: a meta-analysis' White et al. (2022). Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20221866. [PMID: 37161325 PMCID: PMC10170210 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ximena E Bernal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panamá
| | - Brian C Leavell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Rachel A Page
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panamá
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White TE, Latty T, Umbers KDL. An Invited Reply to: A Comment on: The exploitation of sexual signals by predators: a meta-analysis (2022) White et al.. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230243. [PMID: 37161331 PMCID: PMC10170208 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E White
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney 2106, Australia
| | - Tanya Latty
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney 2106, Australia
| | - Kate D L Umbers
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales 2751, Australia
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales 2751, Australia
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