RUI: The Functional Significance of Chorus-Mediated Changes in Signaling Behavior in the Gray Treefrog

合唱介导的信号行为变化在灰树蛙中的功能意义[j] schwartzz动物经常在具有挑战性的自然条件下进行交流。例如，各种昆虫、青蛙和鸟类聚集在大群体中，背景噪音水平可能很高。该项目将调查树蛙发声行为的各个方面，目的是了解雄性鸣叫模式的灵活性如何提高它们的沟通能力和实现繁殖成功。研究结果将揭示耳朵和大脑如何在非常嘈杂的条件下提高个体交换信息的能力。具体来说，该项目将测试三种观点，即为什么雄性灰树蛙会随着声音环境的变化而改变叫声的持续时间。第一种假说认为，雄性这样做是为了使足够多的基本叫声元素不受声音干扰，从而吸引配偶。第二种假说认为，雄性会修改它们的叫声，以弥补它们的信号在背景噪音中不被探测到的可能性的变化。第三种假说认为，雄性会调整自己的呼叫行为，以应对对雌性竞争的感知威胁。这项研究将开发出研究群体交流的新方法。这项工作将开展的大学（RUI学院）以本科教学为重点，拟议的研究将为多样化的本科生提供宝贵的研究经验。

The Functional Significance of Chorus-Mediated Changes in Signaling Behavior in the Gray TreefrogPI: Joshua J. SchwartzAnimals often communicate under challenging natural conditions. For example, species of insects, frogs, and birds aggregate in large groups where levels of background noise can be high. This project will investigate aspects of the vocal behavior of treefrogs with the goal of learning how flexibility in the pattern of male calling improves their ability to communicate and achieve reproductive success. Findings should shed light on how the ear and brain may improve the ability of individuals to exchange information under very noisy conditions. Specifically, the project will test three ideas as to why male gray treefrogs change the duration of their calls with changes in their sound environment. The first hypothesis proposes that males do this so that enough essential call elements remain clear of acoustic interference to attract a mate. The second hypothesis proposes that males modify their calling to compensate for changes in the probability that their signals will not be detected in background noise. The third hypothesis proposes that males adjust their calling behavior in response to the perceived threat of competition for females. The research will develop new approaches to the study of communication in groups. The university where this work will be undertaken is focused on undergraduate teaching (RUI school) and the proposed research will provide a diversity of undergraduate students with valuable research experience.