Abstracts below
Behaviour 146 Vol. 2 (February)
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/brill/beh/2009/00000146/00000002
Ursprung, E, M Ringler & W Hodl (2009) Phonotactic approach pattern in the
neotropical frog Allobates femoralis: A spatial and temporal analysis.
Behaviour 146: 153-170.
Adams, DM, TJS Balsby & JW Bradbury (2009) The function of double chees in
orange-fronted conures (Aratinga canicularis; Psittacidae). Behaviour 146:
171-188
Behaviour 146 Vol. 3 (March)
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/brill/beh/2009/00000146/00000003
Ramseyer, A, O Petit & B Thierry (2009) Decision-making in group departures
of female domestic geese. Behaviour 146: 351-371.
Vanderhoff, EN & PK Eason (2009) The response of American robins (Turdus
migratorius) to aerial alarms. Behaviour 146: 415-427.
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Abstracts:
Ursprung, E, M Ringler & W Hodl (2009) Phonotactic approach pattern in the
neotropical frog Allobates femoralis: A spatial and temporal analysis.
Behaviour 146: 153-170.
Phonotactic approaches by 17 male Allobates femoralis were videotaped and
analysed in terms of spatial and temporal patterns to assess this species'
ability to localise sound. Jump angles of consecutive jumps and the
straightness of paths were measured to quantify the accuracy of approach.
The effect of interbout intervals on phonotactic approach was examined by
comparing movement parameters of two tests, using a standard call with
interbout intervals, and a continuous call without interbout intervals.
Phonotactic approach occurred almost exclusively during calling bouts.
Interbout intervals interrupted movement and did not alter the accuracy of
approach. Our results suggest that only the calling bouts, but not the
silent interbout intervals, play a crucial role for male phonotaxis in this
species. Furthermore, anuran phonotactic approach is not strictly
axis-alternated and, thus, not appropriately described by the generally used
term 'zig-zagging'.
Adams, DM, TJS Balsby & JW Bradbury (2009) The function of double chees in
orange-fronted conures (Aratinga canicularis; Psittacidae). Behaviour 146:
171-188
Orange-fronted conures use individually distinctive contact calls (chees) to
mediate social interactions. During vocal exchanges, individuals are known
to imitate each other's contact calls. Chees are most often given
singularly, but also occur in doublets, known as double chees. We used
interactive playback to assess the function of double chees in imitative
contexts. By using stimuli with varying levels of similarity between the
chees within a double chee, we found that wild-caught conures held for short
periods in an aviary imitate the second chee of the double chee more than
the first chee. This suggests that the more relevant information in
mediating the exchange is contained in the second chee, and the first serves
some alternative function. Double chees do not increase the overall
intensity of an interaction, nor do they improve the overall accuracy of
imitation. However, double chees may serve a role in signaling and directing
changes during chee exchanges.
Ramseyer, A, O Petit & B Thierry (2009) Decision-making in group departures
of female domestic geese. Behaviour 146: 351-371.
Group-living animals have to make trade-offs to reach consensus and travel
together. We investigated the recruitment processes underpinning
decision-making at departure in a group of 20 female domestic geese (Anser
domesticus) kept in semi-free-range conditions. Two observers continuously
videotaped the behaviours of the birds. Data were analyzed using multiple
regression analyses. We found that decision-making was a continuous and
distributed process. Departure was preceded by an increase in the arousal
state of group members and their initial orientation influenced recruitment.
Patterns of group movement could be predicted from the behaviours of
individuals before departure. Individuals' locations, moves and signals
could act as passive or communicative cues. A higher number of vocalisations
and arousal behaviours led to a larger number of individuals recruited. Some
individuals were more efficient than others in recruiting followers but any
geese could initiate a movement. First movers recruited a higher number of
mates when they had a greater number of neighbours. Not only the first mover
but also the behaviours of the second and third movers prompted further
individuals to follow. There was no evidence that geese were able to
intentionally recruit others, rather they synchronized and adjusted each
other's motives until reaching a consensus.
Vanderhoff, EN & PK Eason (2009) The response of American robins (Turdus
migratorius) to aerial alarms. Behaviour 146: 415-427.
Alarm calls are important signals that allow individuals to convey
information about both predator type and risk level. How individuals respond
to these calls may depend on both the intensity of the call as well as the
age of the responder. We investigated an aerial alarm call of the American
robin and specifically examined how call rate (reflecting intensity) and age
affect the anti-predator behaviors of responders. Both juveniles and adults
significantly altered their behavior upon hearing playbacks of seet calls;
they foraged less and increased vigilance and other anti-predator behaviors.
Adult robins were also able to distinguish between low intensity and high
intensity calls; skygazing, an important behaviour that allows robins to
scan for raptors, increased with call rate. Juveniles, on the other hand,
skygazed less and there was a trend for juveniles to spend more time alert
than adults suggesting that some learning may be involved.
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