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Joshua B LaPergola1, Amanda G Savagian1, Maria G Smith1

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Greater anis birds use distinct alarm calls for aerial and non-aerial threats, demonstrating complex referential communication in non-kin social groups. This challenges previous assumptions about the evolution of such signals.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal behavior
  • Bioacoustics
  • Evolutionary biology

Background:

  • Referential signaling, where signals map to specific external referents, was previously thought limited to primates.
  • Recent studies show referential signaling in other cooperative species, primarily in kin-based societies.
  • The evolution of complex communication in non-kin groups remains an area of active research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate referential signaling in greater anis (Crotophaga major), a species with communal nesting in non-kin groups.
  • To determine if greater anis use distinct alarm calls for different threat types.
  • To assess if these calls elicit appropriate responses in the absence of actual threats.

Main Methods:

  • Observational data collection on alarm call usage in response to various threats.
  • Field playback experiments using recorded alarm calls to test behavioral responses.
  • Genetic analysis to confirm the non-kin composition of breeding groups.

Main Results:

  • Greater anis produce distinct alarm calls for aerial threats (raptors) and non-aerial threats (ground predators).
  • Playback experiments confirmed that these calls alone elicit appropriate predator-specific avoidance behaviors.
  • Genetic data verified that the communal breeding groups consist of non-relatives.

Conclusions:

  • Complex referential communication, specifically alarm calls, can evolve and function effectively in social groups without close kin.
  • The findings suggest that kin selection is not the sole driver for the evolution of referential signaling.
  • This study expands our understanding of the evolutionary pathways for complex communication in social animals.