scholarly journals Multi-modal communication: song sparrows increase signal redundancy in noise

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 20190513
Author(s):  
Çağlar Akçay ◽  
Michael D. Beecher
Keyword(s):  
Animal Communication ◽  
Acoustic Noise ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Visual Modality ◽  
Modal Shift ◽  
Song Sparrows ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Shift Hypothesis ◽  
Song Playback

Although the effects of anthropogenic noise on animal communication have been studied widely, most research on the effect of noise in communication has focused on signals in a single modality. Consequently, how multi-modal communication is affected by anthropogenic noise is relatively poorly understood. Here, we ask whether song sparrows ( Melospiza melodia ) show evidence of plasticity in response to noise in two aggressive signals in acoustic and visual modalities. We test two hypotheses: (i) that song sparrows will shift signalling effort to the visual modality (the multi-modal shift hypothesis) and (ii) that they will increase redundancy of their multi-modal signalling (the back-up signal hypothesis). We presented male song sparrows with song playback and a taxidermic mount with or without a low-frequency acoustic noise from a nearby speaker. We found that males did not switch their signalling effort to visual modality (i.e. wing waves) in response to the noise. However, the correlation between warbled soft songs and wing waves increased in the noise treatment, i.e. signals became more redundant. These results suggest that when faced with anthropogenic noise, song sparrows can increase the redundancy of their multi-modal signals, which may aid in the robustness of the communication system.

scholarly journals Multi-modal communication: Song sparrows increase signal redundancy in noise

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Çağlar Akçay ◽  
Michael D. Beecher
Keyword(s):  
Animal Communication ◽  
Acoustic Noise ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Visual Modality ◽  
Modal Shift ◽  
Song Sparrows ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Shift Hypothesis ◽  
Song Playback

AbstractAlthough the effects of anthropogenic noise on animal communication have been studied widely, most research on the effect of noise in communication has been on communication in a single modality. Consequently, how multimodal communication is affected by anthropogenic noise is relatively poorly understood. Here we ask whether song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) show evidence of plasticity in response to noise in two aggressive signals in acoustic and visual modalities. We test two hypotheses: (1) that song sparrows will shift signaling effort to the visual modality (the multi-modal shift hypothesis), and (2) that they will increase redundancy of their multi-modal signaling (the back-up hypothesis). We presented male song sparrows with song playback and a taxidermic mount with or without a low-frequency acoustic noise from a nearby speaker. We found that males did not switch their signaling effort to visual modality (i.e., wing waves) in response to the noise. However, the correlation between warbled soft songs and wing waves increased in the noise treatment, i.e. signals became more redundant. These results suggest that when faced with anthropogenic noise, song sparrows can increase redundancy of their multi-modal signals, which may aid in robustness of the communication system.

scholarly journals Are signals of aggressive intent less honest in urban habitats?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Çağlar Akçay ◽  
Michelle L. Beck ◽  
Kendra B. Sewall
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Acoustic Noise ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Visual Signal ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Urban Birds ◽  
Urban Noise ◽  
Song Sparrows ◽  
Close Range

AbstractThe effect of urban noise on animal communication systems is one of the best examples of how anthropogenic change affects animal social behaviour. Urban noise often drives shifts in acoustic properties of signals but the consequences of noise for the honesty of signals – that is, how well they predict signaler behaviour, is unclear. Here we examine whether honesty of aggressive signaling changes in urban living song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Aggressive signaling in song sparrows consists of close-range signals in two modalities that predict a subsequent attack: the low amplitude soft songs (an acoustic signal) and wing waves (a visual signal). Male song sparrows living in urban habitats display more territorial aggression than males living in rural habitats, but whether the honesty of close-range signals is affected by urbanization has not been examined. If soft songs are less effective in urban noise, we predict that they would be less reliably associated with attack in these habitats compared to rural habitats. We found that while acoustic noise was higher in urban habitats, the urban birds still sang more soft songs than rural birds during a simulated territorial intrusion. Furthermore, high rates of soft songs and low rates of loud songs predicted attacks in both habitats. Finally, we found evidence for a potential multimodal shift: urban birds tended to give proportionally more wing waves than soft songs than rural birds. These results indicate that urbanization might have a limited effect on the overall honesty of aggressive signals in song sparrows.

scholarly journals Song Sparrow (Melospiza Melodia) Song Varies with Urban Noise

The Auk ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 650-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Wood ◽  
Stephen M. Yezerinac
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Melospiza Melodia ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Song Sparrows ◽  
Rural Environments

Abstract In urban environments, anthropogenic noise may mask bird song, especially the notes occurring at lower frequencies (1–2 kHz). Birds living in urban environments may modify their songs, particularly the low-frequency portions, to minimize masking by anthropogenic noise. Such modifications have been observed in Great Tits (Parus major) in The Netherlands, as well as in some mammals. We studied Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia), which are common in both urban and rural environments in much of North America, and recorded the songs of 28 free- living males in Portland, Oregon. We also measured the amplitude and spectrum of ambient noise at singing locations. Song Sparrows singing at noisier locations exhibited higher-frequency low notes and had relatively less energy (amplitude) in the low-frequency range of their songs (1–4 kHz), where most anthropogenic noise also occurred. Although the mechanism(s) producing the correlation are as yet undetermined, the observed match between song and noise may result from behavioral plasticity. We discuss explanations for these patterns and how to test them. Le Chant de Melospiza melodia Varie avec le Bruit Urbain

scholarly journals Testing Time and Frequency Fiber-Optic Link Transfer by Hardware Emulation of Acoustic-Band Optical Noise

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-316
Author(s):  
Marcin Lipiński ◽  
Przemysław Krehlik ◽  
Łukasz Śliwczyński ◽  
Łukasz Buczek ◽  
Jacek Kołodziej
Keyword(s):  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Acoustic Noise ◽  
Mechanical Vibration ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Propagation Delay ◽  
Optical Signal ◽  
Testing Time ◽  
Optical Noise ◽  
Signal Phase

Abstract The low-frequency optical-signal phase noise induced by mechanical vibration of the base occurs in field-deployed fibers. Typical telecommunication data transfer is insensitive to this type of noise but the phenomenon may influence links dedicated to precise Time and Frequency (T&F) fiber-optic transfer that exploit the idea of stabilization of phase or propagation delay of the link. To measure effectiveness of suppression of acoustic noise in such a link, a dedicated measurement setup is necessary. The setup should enable to introduce a low-frequency phase corruption to the optical signal in a controllable way. In the paper, a concept of a setup in which the mechanically induced acoustic-band optical signal phase corruption is described and its own features and measured parameters are presented. Next, the experimental measurement results of the T&F transfer TFTS-2 system’s immunity as a function of the fibre-optic length vs. the acoustic-band noise are presented. Then, the dependency of the system immunity on the location of a noise source along the link is also pointed out.

scholarly journals Identification and Removal of Non-acoustic Noise in Towed Array Sonar Using F-Κ Transform for Enhanced Torpedo Detection

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Vibration Isolation ◽  
Acoustic Noise ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Mechanical Vibration ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Energy ◽  
Noise Sources ◽  
Towed Array ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Towed Arrays

Low frequency passive towed array sonar is an essential component in a torpedo detection system for surface ships. Compact towed arrays are used for torpedo detection and they will be towed at higher towing speeds compared to conventional towed array sonars used for surveillance. Presence of non-acoustic noise in towed array sensors at higher towing speeds degrades torpedo detection capability at lower frequencies. High wavenumber mechanical vibrations are induced in the array by vortex shedding associated with hydrodynamic flow over the array body and cable scope. These vibrations are known to couple into the hydrophone array as nonacoustic noise sources and can impair acoustic detection performance, particularly in the forward end fire direction. Lengthy mechanical vibration isolation modules can isolate vibration induced noise in towed arrays, but this is not recommended in a towed array which is towed at high speeds as it will increase the drag and system complexity. An algorithm for decomposing acoustic and non-acoustic components of signals received at sensor level using well known frequency-wavenumber transform (F-K transform) is presented here. Frequency-wavenumber diagrams can be used for differentiating between acoustic and non-acoustic signals. An area of V shape is identified within the F-K spectrum where acoustic energy is confined. Energy outside this V will highlight non-acoustic energy. Enhanced simultaneous spatio-temporal and spatio-amplitude detection is possible with this algorithm. Performance of this algorithm is validated through simulation and experimental data.

scholarly journals Combined impacts of elevated CO2 and anthropogenic noise on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1230-1236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle A. Poulton ◽  
Cosima S. Porteus ◽  
Stephen D. Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Co2 ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Dicentrarchus Labrax ◽  
Sea Bass ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Pile Driving ◽  
European Sea Bass ◽  
Ventilatory Responses ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

Ocean acidification (OA) and anthropogenic noise are both known to cause stress and induce physiological and behavioural changes in fish, with consequences for fitness. OA is also predicted to reduce the ocean's capacity to absorb low-frequency sounds produced by human activity. Consequently, anthropogenic noise could propagate further under an increasingly acidic ocean. For the first time, this study investigated the independent and combined impacts of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and anthropogenic noise on the behaviour of a marine fish, the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). In a fully factorial experiment crossing two CO2 levels (current day and elevated) with two noise conditions (ambient and pile driving), D. labrax were exposed to four CO2/noise treatment combinations: 400 µatm/ambient, 1000 µatm/ambient, 400 µatm/pile-driving, and 1000 µatm/pile-driving. Pile-driving noise increased ventilation rate (indicating stress) compared with ambient noise conditions. Elevated CO2 did not alter the ventilation rate response to noise. Furthermore, there was no interaction effect between elevated CO2 and pile-driving noise, suggesting that OA is unlikely to influence startle or ventilatory responses of fish to anthropogenic noise. However, effective management of anthropogenic noise could reduce fish stress, which may improve resilience to future stressors.

scholarly journals Are signals of aggressive intent less honest in urban habitats?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Çağlar Akçay ◽  
Michelle L Beck ◽  
Kendra B Sewall
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Noise ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Urban Birds ◽  
Urban Noise ◽  
Song Sparrows ◽  
Soft Song ◽  
Close Range ◽  
Low Amplitude

Abstract How anthropogenic change affects animal social behavior, including communication is an important question. Urban noise often drives shifts in acoustic properties of signals but the consequences of noise for the honesty of signals—that is, how well they predict signaler behavior—is unclear. Here we examine whether honesty of aggressive signaling is compromised in male urban song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Song sparrows have two honest close-range signals: the low amplitude soft songs (an acoustic signal) and wing waves (a visual signal), but whether the honesty of these signals is affected by urbanization has not been examined. If soft songs are less effective in urban noise, we predict that they should predict attacks less reliably in urban habitats compared to rural habitats. We confirmed earlier findings that urban birds were more aggressive than rural birds and found that acoustic noise was higher in urban habitats. Urban birds still sang more soft songs than rural birds. High rates of soft songs and low rates of loud songs predicted attacks in both habitats. Thus, while urbanization has a significant effect on aggressive behaviors, it might have a limited effect on the overall honesty of aggressive signals in song sparrows. We also found evidence for a multimodal shift: urban birds tended to give proportionally more wing waves than soft songs than rural birds, although whether that shift is due to noise-dependent plasticity is unclear. These findings encourage further experimental study of the specific variables that are responsible for behavioral change due to urbanization. Soft song, the low amplitude songs given in close range interactions, is an honest threat signal in urban song sparrows. Given its low amplitude, soft songs may be a less effective signal in noisy urban habitats. However, we found that soft song remained an honest signal predicting attack in urban habitats. We also found that birds may use more visual signals (rapid fluttering of wings) in urban habitats to avoid masking from acoustic noise.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document