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Signal complexity communicates aggressive intent during contests, but the process is disrupted by noise
Kyriacos Kareklas1, James Wilson1, Hansjoerg P Kunc1
1School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast , 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL , UK.
Biology Letters
|April 18, 2019
Summary
Bird song complexity signals aggressive intent and influences responses. However, background noise disrupts this communication, affecting contest behavior and potentially fitness in European robins.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior
- Bioacoustics
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Animals use signals to convey aggressive intent and avoid escalating conflicts.
- Bird song complexity is a potential signal, but its role and effectiveness under noisy conditions are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of song complexity in signalling aggressive intent in European robins (Erithacus rubecula).
- To determine how background noise affects the use of song complexity in aggressive signaling and receiver responses.
Main Methods:
- Playback experiments were conducted with European robins.
- Song complexity was manipulated, and responses were observed under varying noise levels.
Main Results:
- Song complexity in European robins effectively signaled sender aggression and influenced receiver behavior.
- Increased background noise impaired receivers' ability to adjust their responses based on the complexity of the opponent's song.
Conclusions:
- Acoustic signal complexity is crucial for assessing opponent aggression in European robins.
- Noise interferes with the assessment of aggressive intent via song complexity, potentially leading to negative fitness consequences.
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