Animal communication ANS /24/2001

Objective 4 To understand the mechanisms used by animals to “communicate” 4 To explore the implication of captivity (including domestic species) on the ability of animals to “communicate”

Limitations of the concept 4 Communicatio = sharing or distributing 4 1) Sender must intend to communicate How can it be measured ? 4 2) The interacting individuals must be a member of the same species 4 3) The receiver must respond to the message (MacKay, 1972) 4 Signaling is a more precise terminology

Communication and information transfer 4 Communication can make “private” information available to others They may respond appropriately –Benefits (function) are questionable Cheaters may get some advantage

Signaling 4 Social organization 4 Mate choice 4 Territory marking 4 Predator avoidance 4...

Signaling 4 Honest 4 Deceitful

Visual signals

Auditory signals

Chemical signals

Tactile signals

Visual signals 4 Blushing of embarrassed humans 4 Male faces (slides) increased the release of brain neurotransmitters associated with copulation (or pre-copulation interactions) in sexually receptive ewes, during the early phase of oestrous (Fabre-Nys, et al., 1997) 4 Mounting behavior among sexually receptive cows and sows (not mares) 4 Color and size of genitalia (age dependent)

Visual signaling 4 Dog postures are associated with behavioral patterns indicating submission, playfulness, fear (among others) (Simpson, 1997; original citation by Darwin)

Auditory signaling 4 Dogs (Riede and Fitch, 1999) Vocal tract length and body mass were correlated with the qualitative nature of vocalizations in dogs, suggesting that it may convey relevant information 4 Vervet monkeys (Seyfarth et al., 1980) Run into trees in response to leopard calls Look up for eagle alarms Look down for snake alarms

Auditory signaling 4 The boar “song” can induce standing reflex in receptive female pigs (Signoret, 1977) 4 Specific vocalization patterns are performed by sows during milk let down

Olfactory communication 4 Pheromones –Flehmen 4 Urine marking –territory –own body 4 Anal gland secretion 4 Sebaceous skin glands 4 Saliva

Olfactory signals 4 Exposure of ewes to male odors increased the release of brain neurotransmitters associated with copulation (or pre- copulation interactions) in sexually receptive ewes, during the late phase of oestrous (Fabre-Nys, et al., 1997)

Olfactory signals 4 Bird dogs create “turbulence” in the nasal cavity by sniffing at a very high frequency trapping (some) air in the nasal cavity for more than 40 seconds(Mohus et al., 1996) –The olfactory ability of dogs: Drugs & illegal products Reproductive cycle of cows Bodies (or parts of it) Search and rescue Hunting...

Olfactory signals 4 The smell of a predator can cause the disruption of short-term working memory in rats and also seems to be associated with a depletion of dopamine (a neurotransmitter) in the pre-frontal brain area (Morrow et al., 2000)

Tactile signals 4 Piglets will massage the udder of the sow in order to stimulate milk let down. 4 Standing reflex in receptive sows can be induced by tactile signaling; back pressure (Signoret, 1977).

Tactile signals 4 Successful copulation in mink (Mustela vison) is associated with “neck gripping” (Aulerich, personal communication)

Grooming 4 Nomadic Fulani herdsman “grooming” a cow. –They may take the role of another cow in social grooming

Signaling and individual recognition 4 Social stability 4 Parent and offspring interactions 4 Avoid inbreeding 4 Mate choice 4 Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) –Maximizing diversity in immunological responsiveness

Social organization Social strategies

Social organization 4 Social strategies to 31

Stable Social Structures 4 Communication Vocalization Visual display Physical contact Chemical communication

Stable Social Structures 4 Reduced aggression –Display Threat behavior Submissive behavior

Stable Social Structures 4 Recognition between individual animals Optimal group size Memory of social encounters –Visual –Olfactory –Combination

Agonistic interactions 3 days post-mixing n=186n=176n= weaned between 9-12 days of age= SEW 23 weaned between days of age= CW

Our work 4 We are currently investigating the impact of early environmental conditions on the ability of pigs to form social and spatial memory (e.g. to use signals)