RUI: Communication and Predator Defense by Ground- Transmitted Vibrations

本研究探讨了一个独特的机制和功能， 这是一种交流方式，以前从未详细研究过。 博士 兰德尔正在调查一种夜间活动的沙漠啮齿动物， 旗尾袋鼠鼠，将自己的身份传达给其他 袋鼠老鼠和保护自己免受捕食者的鼓声， 后腿着地，产生震动， 通过地面和空中。 她和她 学生将（1）描述脚的基本模式- 鼓声信号以及这些信号如何识别个体动物，（2） 研究信号是如何通过沙漠土壤传输的， 空气中，（3）描述大鼠的行为变化， 一个打鼓信号，（4）研究打鼓作为一种防御 对蛇捕食者，和（5）分析差异， 与个人年龄和健康有关的信号 老鼠，邻居信号数量的差异，以及 领土防御、捕食者防御和交配的背景 竞争 这项研究将丰富我们对如何 沟通与小的社会组织有关， 夜行哺乳动物 它将有助于了解 动物保护自己免受捕食者的攻击， 动物的社会组织已经适应了沙漠环境。 理解网络中发生的相互作用， 沙漠中的生命将在管理和保护方面具有价值 美国西南部脆弱的沙漠生态系统 美国的

This research examines the mechanisms and functions of a unique form of communication, never before studied in detail. Dr. Randall is investigating how a nocturnal desert rodent, the banner-tailed kangaroo rat, communicates its identity to other kangaroo rats and protects itself from predators by drumming its hind feet on the ground, creating vibrations that are transmitted both through the ground and through the air. She and her students will (1) describe the basic patterns in the foot- drumming signal and how these identify individual animals, (2) study how the signal is transmitted through the desert soil and air, (3) describe the changes in behavior of rats in response to a foot-drumming signal, (4) study foot-drumming as a defense against snake predators, and (5) analyze differences in the signals produced in relation to the age and health of individual rats, to differences in the number of neighbors' signals, and in contexts of territorial defense, predator defense, and mating competition. This research will enrich our general understanding of how communication is related to the social organization of small, nocturnal mammals. It will contribute to knowledge of how small animals defend themselves against their predators, and of how animal social organizations have adapted to a desert environment. An understanding of the interactions that occur in the web of life in a desert will be valuable in management and conservation decisions about the fragile desert ecosystems of the southwestern United States.