COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Sensory Ecology of an Animal Communication Network

“协作研究：动物通信网络的感觉生态学”(IBN 0239164/0238854)，乔治·W·乌茨，J.安德鲁·罗伯茨，辛辛那提大学大卫·L·克拉克，阿尔玛学院动物通信通常是多模式的，因为信号的产生和检测可能涉及几种感觉模式。明显的多模式信号可能会被有意(潜在配偶)或无意(窃听竞争对手和捕食者)的接收者截获，信号行为的演变受制于相互冲突的选择压力之间的权衡。这项研究将通过野外观察、环境测量和实验室实验来研究窃听竞争对手和捕食者如何拦截和利用蜘蛛的求偶信号。研究将考察雄性狼蛛的视觉和振动信号如何受到复杂的森林地面环境的影响，并在潜在接收者的“通信网络”中传输。利用计算机辅助照度分光光度法和激光多普勒振动记录技术，将在野外测量多模式信号的“活动空间”或传输范围。感觉线索分离和视频/音频回放实验将确定多种通信模式如何影响其他蜘蛛以及脊椎动物和无脊椎动物捕食者的信号检测。总而言之，实地和实验室研究的结果将使我们能够更好地了解复杂环境中的动物交流。一所大学和一所文理学院的研究人员之间的合作将通过博士后培训、两所大学的本科生参与研究以及与进行实地研究的环境教育中心建立研究和教育伙伴关系来促进教学、培训和学习。

"COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Sensory Ecology of an Animal Communication Network" (IBN 0239164/0238854)George W. Uetz, J. Andrew Roberts, University of Cincinnati David L. Clark, Alma CollegeAnimal communication is often multi-modal, as production and detection of signals may involve several sensory modes. Conspicuous, multi-modal signals may be intercepted by receivers that are intended (potential mates) or unintended (eavesdropping competitors and predators) and the evolution of signaling behavior is subject to trade-offs between conflicting selection pressures. This research will use field observation, environmental measurement and laboratory experimentation to examine how eavesdropping competitors and predators intercept and exploit the courtship signals of spiders. Studies will examine how visual and vibratory signals of male wolf spiders are influenced by the complex forest floor environment and transmitted within a "communication network" of potential receivers. The "active space", or transmission range of multi-modal signals will be measured in the field with computer-assisted illuminance spectrophotometry and laser doppler vibration recording. Sensory cue isolation and video/audio playback experiments will determine how multiple modes of communication influence signal detection by other spiders, as well as vertebrate and invertebrate predators. Taken together, results of field and laboratory studies will allow a better understanding of animal communication in a complex environment. Collaboration between researchers from a university and a liberal arts college will promote teaching, training and learning through post-doctoral training, involvement of undergraduate students from both institutions in the research, and a research and education partnership with the environmental education center where field research is done.