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Author Cheney, D. l .; Seyfarth, R. M. url  openurl
  Title Social complexity and the information acquired during eavesdropping by primates and other animals Type Book Chapter
  Year 2004 Publication Animal Communication networks Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract In many of the studies reviewed in this book, eavesdropping takes the

following form: a subject has the opportunity to monitor, or eavesdrop upon, an

interaction between two other animals,Aand B. The subject then uses the information

obtained through these observations to assess A`s and B`s relative dominance

or attractiveness as a mate (e.g. Mennill et al., 2002; Ch. 2). For example, Oliveira

et al. (1998) found that male fighting fish Betta splendens that had witnessed two

other males involved in an aggressive interaction subsequently responded more

strongly to the loser of that interaction than the winner. Subjects-behaviour could

not have been influenced by any inherent differences between the two males, because

subjects responded equally strongly to the winner and the loser of competitive

interactions they had not observed. Similarly, Peake et al. (2001) presented

male great tits Parus major with the opportunity to monitor an apparent competitive

interaction between two strangers by simulating a singing contest using two

loudspeakers. The relative timing of the singing bouts (as measured by the degree

of overlap between the two songs) provided information about each “contestants”

relative status. Following the singing interaction, one of the “contestants” was

introduced into the male`s territory. Males responded significantly less strongly

to singers that had apparently just “lost” the interaction (see also McGregor &

Dabelsteen, 1996; Naguib et al., 1999; Ch. 2).

What information does an individual acquire when it eavesdrops on others?

In theory, an eavesdropper could acquire information of many different sorts:

about A, about B, about the relationship between A and B, or about the place of

Animal Communication Networks, ed. Peter K. McGregor. Published by Cambridge University Press.

c.

Cambridge University Press 2005.

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584 D. L. Cheney & R. M. Seyfarth

A`s and B`s relationship in a larger social framework. The exact information acquired

will probably reflect the particular species social structure. For example,

songbirds like great tits live in communities in which six or seven neighbours

surround each territory-holding male. Males appear to benefit from the knowledge

that certain individuals occupy specific areas (e.g. Brooks & Falls, 1975), that

competitive interactions between two different neighbours have particular outcomes,

and that these outcomes are stable over time. We would, therefore, expect

an eavesdropping great tit not only to learn that neighbour A was dominant to

neighbour B, for example, but also to form the expectation that A was likely to

defeat B in all future encounters. More speculatively, because the outcome of territorial

interactions are often site specific (reviewed by Bradbury & Vehrencamp,

1998), we would expect eavesdropping tits to learn further that A dominates B

in some areas but B dominates A in others. In contrast, the information gained

from monitoring neighbours interactions would unlikely be sufficient to allow

the eavesdropper to rank all of its neighbours in a linear dominance hierarchy,

because not all neighbouring males would come into contact with one another.

Such information would be difficult if not impossible to acquire; it might also be

of little functional value.

In contrast, species that live in large, permanent social groups have a much

greater opportunity to monitor the social interactions of many different individuals

simultaneously. Monkey species such as baboons Papio cynocephalus, for

example, typically live in groups of 80 or more individuals, which include several

matrilineal families arranged in a stable, linear dominance rank order (Silk et al.,

1999). Offspring assume ranks similar to those of their mothers, and females maintain

close bonds with their matrilineal kin throughout their lives. Cutting across

these stable long-term relationships based on rank and kinship are more transient

bonds: for example, the temporary associations formed between unrelated

females whose infants are of similar ages, and the “friendships” formed between

adult males and lactating females as an apparent adaptation against infanticide

(Palombit et al., 1997, 2001). In order to compete successfully within such groups, it

would seem advantageous for individuals to recognize who outranks whom, who

is closely bonded to whom, and who is likely to be allied to whom (Harcourt, 1988,

1992; Cheney & Seyfarth, 1990; see below). The ability to adopt a third party`s perspective

and discriminate among the social relationships that exist among others

would seem to be of great selective benefit.

In this chapter, we review evidence for eavesdropping in selected primate

species and we consider what sort of information is acquired when one individual

observes or listens in on the interactions of others. We then compare eavesdropping

by primates with eavesdropping in other animal species, focusing on both

potential differences and directions for further research
 
  Address  
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  Publisher Cambridge University Press Place of Publication Cambridge, Massachusetts Editor McGregor, P.K.  
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Author P. K. McGregor,; T. M. Peake, doi  openurl
  Title Communication networks: social environments for receiving and signalling behaviour Type Journal Article
  Year 2000 Publication Acta ethologica Abbreviated Journal Acta. Ethol.  
  Volume 2 Issue 2 Pages 71-81  
  Keywords Communication ? Network ? Eavesdropping ? Audiences ? Information  
  Abstract Communication and social behaviour are inextricably linked, with communication mediating important social behaviours such as resource defence and mate attraction. However, the social environment in which communication occurs is often ignored in discussions of communication behaviour. We argue that networks of several individuals are the common social environment for communication behaviour. The consequences for receivers and signallers of communicating in a network environment are the main subjects of this review. Eavesdropping is a receiving behaviour that is only possible in the environment of a network and therefore we concentrate on this behaviour. The main effect of communication networks on signallers is to create competition with other signallers for receiver attention. We discuss the consequences of such competition. To conclude, we explore the role of signals and signalling interactions as sources of information that animals exploit to direct their behaviour.  
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  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 496  
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Author Johnstone, R.A. doi  openurl
  Title Eavesdropping and animal conflict Type Journal Article
  Year 2001 Publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Abbreviated Journal Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.  
  Volume 98 Issue 16 Pages 9177-9180  
  Keywords *Aggression; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; *Conflict (Psychology); Models, Theoretical  
  Abstract Fights between pairs of animals frequently take place within a wider social context. The displays exchanged during conflict, and the outcome of an encounter, are often detectable by individuals who are not immediately involved. In at least some species, such bystanders are known to eavesdrop on contests between others, and to modify their behavior toward the contestants in response to the observed interaction. Here, I extend Maynard Smith's well known model of animal aggression, the Hawk-Dove game, to incorporate the possibility of eavesdroppers. I show that some eavesdropping is favored whenever the cost of losing an escalated fight exceeds the value of the contested resource, and that its equilibrium frequency is greatest when costs are relatively high. Eavesdropping reduces the risk of escalated conflict relative to that expected by chance, given the level of aggression in the population. However, it also promotes increased aggression, because it enhances the value of victory. The net result is that escalated conflicts are predicted to occur more frequently when eavesdropping is possible.  
  Address Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom. raj1003@hermes.cam.ac.uk  
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  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
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  ISSN 0027-8424 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:11459936 Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 497  
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Author Earley, R.L.; Dugatkin, L.A. doi  openurl
  Title Eavesdropping on visual cues in green swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) fights: a case for networking Type Journal Article
  Year 2002 Publication Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society Abbreviated Journal Proc Biol Sci  
  Volume 269 Issue 1494 Pages 943-952  
  Keywords *Aggression; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; *Cyprinodontiformes; Female; Male  
  Abstract Aggressive contests probably occur in networking environments where information about fighting ability is conveyed both to an opponent and to individuals peripheral to the fight itself, the bystanders. Our primary aim was to investigate the relative influences of eavesdropping and prior social experience on the dynamics of aggressive contests in Xiphophorus helleri. A bystander's ability to witness an encounter was manipulated using clear, one-way mirror, and opaque partitions. After watching (or not watching) the initial contest, the bystander encountered either the winner or loser of the bout. Treatment comparisons of bystander-winner or bystander-loser contest dynamics indicated the presence or absence of winner, loser, or eavesdropping effects. Winner and loser effects had negligible influences on bystander contest dynamics. Eavesdropping significantly reduced the bystander's propensity to initiate aggression, escalate, and win against seen winners regardless of whether the watched bout had escalated or not. Though eavesdropping had relatively little effect on bystander-loser contest dynamics, bystanders were less prone to initiate aggression and win against losers that had escalated in the witnessed bout. Thus, bystanders appear to preferentially retain and utilize information gained about potentially dangerous opponents (winners or persistent losers). Our data lend clear support for the importance of eavesdropping in visually based aggressive signalling systems.  
  Address Department of Biology, Life Science, Room 139, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. rlearl01@athena.louisville.edu  
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  ISSN 0962-8452 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:12028778 Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 498  
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Author Naguib, M.; Amrhein, V.; Kunc, H.P. url  openurl
  Title Effects of territorial intrusions on eavesdropping neighbors: communication networks in nightingales Type Journal Article
  Year 2004 Publication Behavioral Ecology Abbreviated Journal Behav. Ecol.  
  Volume 15 Issue 6 Pages 1011-1015  
  Keywords  
  Abstract Animal communication often occurs in communication networks in which multiple signalers and receivers are within signaling range of each other. In such networks, individuals can obtain information on the quality and motivation of territorial neighbors by eavesdropping on their signaling interactions. In songbirds, extracting information from interactions involving neighbors is thought to be an important factor in the evolution of strategies of territory defense. In a playback experiment with radio-tagged nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos we here demonstrate that territorial males use their familiar neighbors' performance in a vocal interaction with an unfamiliar intruder as a standard for their own response. Males were attracted by a vocal interaction between their neighbor and a simulated stranger and intruded into the neighbor's territory. The more intensely the neighbor had interacted with playback, the earlier the intrusions were made, indicating that males eavesdropped on the vocal contest involving a neighbor. However, males never intruded when we had simulated by a second playback that the intruder had retreated and sang outside the neighbor's territory. These results suggest that territorial males use their neighbors' singing behavior as an early warning system when territorial integrity is threatened. Simultaneous responses by neighboring males towards unfamiliar rivals are likely to be beneficial to the individuals in maintaining territorial integrity.  
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  Notes 10.1093/beheco/arh108 Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 499  
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Author Fenton, B.; Ratcliffe, J. doi  openurl
  Title Animal behaviour: eavesdropping on bats Type Journal Article
  Year 2004 Publication Nature Abbreviated Journal Nature  
  Volume 429 Issue 6992 Pages 612-613  
  Keywords Acoustics; Animals; Chiroptera/anatomy & histology/classification/genetics/*physiology; Echolocation/*physiology; *Evolution; Phylogeny; Predatory Behavior/physiology; Species Specificity  
  Abstract  
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  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1476-4687 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:15190335 Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 500  
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Author Peake, T.M.; Terry, A.M.R.; McGregor, P.K.; Dabelsteen, T. doi  openurl
  Title Do great tits assess rivals by combining direct experience with information gathered by eavesdropping? Type Journal Article
  Year 2002 Publication Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society Abbreviated Journal Proc Biol Sci  
  Volume 269 Issue 1503 Pages 1925-1929  
  Keywords Aggression; *Animal Communication; Animals; Male; Songbirds/*physiology; Territoriality; *Vocalization, Animal  
  Abstract Animals frequently use signals that travel further than the spacing between individuals. For every intended recipient of a given signal there are likely to be many other individuals that receive information. Eavesdropping on signalling interactions between other individuals provides a relatively cost-free method of assessing future opponents or mates. Male great tits (Parus major) extract relative information from such interactions between individuals unknown to them. Here, we show that male great tits can take information gathering a stage further and obtain more information about a previously unencountered intruder, by the hitherto unknown capability of combining information gathered by eavesdropping with that derived from their own direct interaction with an individual. Prior experience with an intruder (A) was achieved by subjecting a focal male to different levels of intrusion simulated using interactive playback. This intruder (A) then took part in a simulated interaction with an unknown male (B) outside the territorial boundary of the focal males. In response to subsequent intrusion by the second male (B), focal males showed low song output in response to males that had lost to a male that the subject was able to beat. Males of known high quality, or those about which information was ambiguous, elicited a high level of song output by focal males. We discuss the implications of this finding for the evolution of communication and social behaviour.  
  Address Department of Animal Behaviour, Zoological Institute, Copenhagen University, Tagensvej 16, DK 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. tmpeake@zi.ku.uk  
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  ISSN 0962-8452 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:12350255 Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 501  
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Author Dzieweczynski, T.L.; Eklund, A.C.; Rowland, W.J. doi  openurl
  Title Male 11-ketotestosterone levels change as a result of being watched in Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens Type Journal Article
  Year 2006 Publication General and comparative endocrinology Abbreviated Journal Gen Comp Endocrinol  
  Volume 147 Issue 2 Pages 184-189  
  Keywords Aggression; Animals; Female; Fishes/*blood; Male; Nesting Behavior; *Social Behavior; Social Environment; Testosterone/*analogs & derivatives/blood  
  Abstract This study investigated the effects of nesting status and the presence of an audience on 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) levels in male Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens. Prior studies have demonstrated that both nesting status, an indicator of territory-holding power and reproductive state, and the sex of a conspecific audience lead to differences in male behavior during aggressive encounters. Since behavioral changes have already been demonstrated, we chose to investigate whether 11KT levels were also influenced by nesting status and audience presence as 11KT both stimulates, and is stimulated by, reproductive and aggressive behaviors in male teleosts. Male 11KT levels were measured from water samples taken from containers holding fish both before and after interaction. Males interacted under three treatment conditions: no audience, female audience, and male audience. Within these treatments were two nest paradigms: both males had nests or neither male had a nest. 11KT levels varied depending on nesting status and audience type. In general, 11KT levels were lower in interacting males when a female audience was present or when males had nests. Overall, 11KT showed increases or decreases as aggression increased or decreased, as shown by already established behavioral findings [see Dzieweczynski T.L., Green T.M., Earley R.L., Rowland W.J., 2005. Audience effect is context dependent in Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens. Behav. Ecol. 16, 1025-1030; Doutrelant, C., McGregor, P.K., Oliveira, R.F., 2001. Effect of an audience on intrasexual communication in male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). Behav. Ecol. 12, 283-286.]. Our results suggest that 11KT levels are influenced by reproductive status, as indicated by nest ownership, and audience presence and are most likely modulated by territorial behavior and social environment.  
  Address Department of Psychology, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA. tdzieweczynski@une.edu  
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  ISSN 0016-6480 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:16473353 Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 502  
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Author Marinier, S.L.; Alexander, A.J.; Waring, G.H. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Flehmen behaviour in the domestic horse: Discrimination of conspecific odours Type Journal Article
  Year 1988 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 19 Issue 3-4 Pages 227-237  
  Keywords  
  Abstract American Saddlebred horses were used to test the responses of domestic horses to the odours of conspecifics. In all cases the odours were tested in the absence of the donor animal. Thus the test animal's behavioural responses were concentrated on the olfactory stimuli, and possible interference from donor behaviour was eliminated. Stallions were significantly more responsive than mares and geldings. This was shown in both flehmen and sniffing behaviour to urine/vaginal secretions and in sniffing behaviour to faecal samples. Only stallions were used for subsequent tests. Stallions showed no significant differences in response to the odour of urine/vaginal secretions of an oestrus mare from that when she was not in season. Parameters used for analysis of data were frequency, latency and duration of flehmen as well as duration of responsiveness to samples. In testing for differences in odours between individual mares, two methods were used. The stallions differentiated between samples from individual mares. In some cases this differentiation was exhibited when the stallions were merely presented with the two samples in sequence. In other cases statistically significant differences in response to the odours were shown only by simultaneous presentation of the two samples to the test stallion. Parameters used for data analysis were frequency and duration of flehmen and duration of responsiveness.  
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  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 507  
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Author Houpt, K.A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Review of some research areas of applied and theoretical interest in domestic animal behavior Type Journal Article
  Year 1980 Publication Applied Animal Ethology Abbreviated Journal Appl. Animal. Ethol.  
  Volume 6 Issue 2 Pages 111-119  
  Keywords  
  Abstract There are numerous areas worthy of study in the field of domestic animal behavior or applied ethology. In this paper a few areas are offerred as particularly worthy of attention. These areas are worthwhile either because they have received little or no study and are of basic interest or because they have application to current problems of livestock production. The study of cat behavior falls in the former category. Neither the food and water sources, the reproductive success rate nor even the social interactions of cats in the large populations found in both rural and urban environments are known. Pigs as a species have already been the subjects of many behavior studies; nevertheless, there are still gaps in our knowledge of the underlying principles of swine behavior. The physiological basis of maternal behavior, for example, has not been studied in swine or in any domestic species. The sensory basis of udder location by the neonatal piglet deserves study also. Some aspects of olfactory and vocal communication of pigs have been studied, but only one of what may be a large number of pheromones of pigs has been chemically identified. The message conveyed by the vocal interactions between adult swine of the same sex is unknown, as is the role of facial and postural expressions in porcine communication. The two major problems of pig behavior under conditions of intensive livestock management are tail biting and reproductive failure. The application of behavioral techniques to these problems might help to attenuate those problems as well as broaden our understanding of normal pig behavior. Horse behavior has also been a relatively neglected field of study. Of particular interest is the significance of the flehmen gesture used by both mares and stallions in a variety of situations. Flehmen may be related to the function of the vomeronasal organ, but both observational and physiological studies should be performed to verify the hypothesis.  
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  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 508  
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