DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Assessment of Signals in Communication Networks

摘要IOS 1311393学位论文研究：通信网络中信号的评估通信是动物行为的基石，调节着不同的相互作用，例如在捕食者和猎物、父母和后代、兄弟姐妹、社会团体和未来伴侣之间，仅举几例。有时，多个接收器能够检测到同一组通信信号，在这些情况下，可以将通信描述为发生在“网络”内。动物行为中的一个主要悬而未决的问题是，通信网络中使用的信号是否与单一发送者/单一接收者相互作用中的信号有任何不同的解释或评估。为了解决这个问题，研究小组将调查信号接收器如何在多个信号之间进行直接比较。将对鸣禽物种--尖嘴麻雀(Spizella Passerina)进行研究，旨在回答两个问题：(I)当雌性在选择不同的信号特性时，如何评估未来的配偶？以及(Ii)当歌声中发出的威胁级别不同时，雄性网络对领土入侵有何反应？该项目包括实验室和现场组件，通过在实验室中测试女性在操作范例中的偏好，以及通过使用回放和麦克风阵列来测试网络对外地领土入侵的响应。这个项目的结果将解决这样的假设，即相对信号强度可以影响交配决定和区域相互作用，因此最终可能会影响性选择的强度和/或方向。这个项目提供了培训本科生研究人员的机会，也提供了适合高级论文的数据。此外，国际和平协会还组织了一项科学推广活动--“科学咖啡馆”(www.oebScience encecafe.org)，并将在2014年的一次咖啡馆活动中向社区介绍研究结果。作为该项目的结果创建的所有数据将存储在硬盘驱动器上的复制中，但需要定期备份，并将由其他研究人员通过请求访问。

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.