DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Assessment of Signals in Communication Networks

摘要/ Abstract摘要：通信网络中的信号评估通信是动物行为的基石，介导着捕食者与猎物、父母与后代、兄弟姐妹、社会群体和未来伴侣等不同的相互作用。有时，多个接收器能够检测到同一组通信信号，在这种情况下，通信可以被描述为发生在“网络”中。动物行为中一个主要的悬而未决的问题是，通信网络中使用的信号是否与单一发送者/单一接收者的交互有任何不同的解释或评估。为了解决这个问题，研究小组将研究信号接收器如何在多个信号之间进行直接比较。研究对象将是一种鸣禽——斑雀（Spizella passerina），旨在回答两个问题；(i)当雌性在多个雄性的偏好信号特性不同时，如何评估未来的伴侣？（ii）当威胁等级在歌声中有所变化时，雄性的网络如何对领土入侵做出反应？该项目包括实验室和现场两个部分，通过在实验室的操作范式中测试女性的偏好，并通过使用回放和麦克风阵列来测试网络对现场领土入侵的反应。这个项目的结果将解决一个假设，即相对信号强度可以影响交配决定和领土相互作用，因此最终可能影响性选择的强度和/或方向。这个项目为培养本科生研究人员提供了机会，也为高级论文提供了合适的数据。此外，联合倡议组织了一项科学推广活动“科学咖啡馆”（www.oebsciencecafe.org），联合倡议将在2014年的咖啡馆活动上向科学界展示研究结果。该项目创建的所有数据将存储在硬盘驱动器上，并定期备份，其他研究人员可以根据要求访问。

Abstract IOS 1311393 DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Assessment of Signals in Communication NetworksCommunication is a cornerstone of animal behavior, mediating disparate interactions such as among predators and prey, parents and offspring, siblings, social groups, and prospective mates, to name a few. Sometimes multiple receivers are able to detect the same set of communication signals, and in these cases communication can be described as occurring within "networks." A major open question in animal behavior is whether signals used in communication networks are interpreted or assessed any differently than in single sender/ single receiver interactions. To address this question, the research team will investigate how signal receivers make direct comparisons among multiple signals. Research will be conducted on a songbird species, the Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), and will aim to answer two questions; (i) how do females assess prospective mates when sampling multiple males that vary in preferred signal properties? and (ii) how do networks of males respond to territorial intrusions when threat levels as signalled in song varies? This project encompasses both lab and field components, by testing female preferences in an operant paradigm in the lab, and by using playback and a microphone array to test a network response to territorial intrusion in the field. Results from this project will address the hypothesis that relative signal strength can influence both mating decisions and territorial interactions, and could therefore ultimately affect the strength and/or direction of sexual selection. This project presents opportunities to train undergraduate researchers and also generate data suitable for senior theses. Furthermore, the Co-PI organizes a science outreach activity, the "Science Café," (www.oebsciencecafe.org) and findings will be presented by the co-PI to the community at a Café event in 2014. All data created as a result of this project will be stored in replicate on hard drives subject to regular back-ups, and will be accessible to other researchers via request.