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Receiver psychology and the evolution of multimodal signals

ReferenceS13297
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Professor Candy Rowe
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution Newcastle University
DepartmentSch of Biology
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 97,372
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 01/01/2001
End date 01/10/2004
Duration45 months

Abstract

All animals communicate: be it to attract mates, deter predators or maintain social grouping. Many signals are elaborate displays consisting of components in multiple sensory modalities, but why are signals so complex? It is proposed that additional components evolve to enhance the perception of information by receivers, and do not necessarily provide additional information of their own. This series of operant experiments addresses this very issue: does sound enhance the memory, discriminability and detectability of a visual signal by avian receivers? The results will significantly improve our understanding of the evolution of multimodal animal communication, and also add to the increasing knowledge of intersensory interactions in general.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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