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Doctoral Dissertations

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Communication

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The Effects Of High Temperatures On Mating Communication In Songbirds, Casey Marie Coomes May 2021

The Effects Of High Temperatures On Mating Communication In Songbirds, Casey Marie Coomes

Doctoral Dissertations

Due to climate change, animals around the globe are experiencing the negative impacts of hot temperature extremes. Hot temperatures can affect animals is by inducing behavioral changes. Some of these behavioral changes include reductions in important, fitness-related behaviors such as foraging and mating. One aspect of mating behaviors that high temperatures can impact is communication. In many systems, mating communication consists of a male signaler transmitting a signal to a female receiver, who then uses the signal to assess the male’s quality as a potential mate. High temperatures can impact this process at the level of the signaler, the receiver, …


Mixed-Species Flock Members’ Reactions To Novel And Predator Stimuli, Sheri Ann Browning May 2015

Mixed-Species Flock Members’ Reactions To Novel And Predator Stimuli, Sheri Ann Browning

Doctoral Dissertations

Novel stimuli are ubiquitous. Few studies have examined mixed-species group reactions to novelty, although the complex social relationships that exist can affect species’ behavior. Additionally, studies rarely consider possible changes in communication. However, for social species, changes in communication, including rates, latencies, or note-types within a call, could potentially be correlated with behavioral traits. As such, this research aimed to address whether vocal behavior is correlated with mixed-species’ reactions to novel objects. I first tested the effect of various novel stimuli on the foraging and calling behavior of Carolina chickadees, Poecile carolinensis, and tufted titmice, Baeolophus bicolor. Chickadees …


Aggressive Signaling In New World Warblers, David Hof Nov 2014

Aggressive Signaling In New World Warblers, David Hof

Doctoral Dissertations

In many animal species, communication can enable individuals to resolve conflict without the high potential costs involved in direct fighting. During contests, animals may exchange information about their aggressive motivational state. A central question throughout the study of animal communication research has been whether animal signals convey reliable information, and this question has been particularly relevant to communication during conflicts where the evolutionary interests of competitors directly oppose. Deceptive signaling of aggressive motivation would be highly favored by natural selection because it could allow individuals to gain access to resources they might not gain through direct combat. However, selection should …