Humans discriminate individual large-billed crows and individual cats by their respective vocalizations

Previous research has shown that human adults can easily discriminate two individual zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) by their signature songs, struggle to discriminate two individual rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) by their calls, and are unable to discriminate two individual dogs (Canis familiaris) by their barks. The purpose of the present experiment was to examine whether acoustic discrimination of individual non-primate heterospecifics is limited to species producing stereotyped signature songs, or whether it is possible with the vocalizations of other species as well. This was tested here with the calls of individual large-billed crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) and the meows of individual domestic cats (Felis catus) using a forced-choice Same-Different Paradigm. Results show a high discrimination accuracy without prior training, although the scores obtained here for both species were lower than those in the zebra finch discrimination task. Discrimination accuracy of cat voices decreased when mean pitch was equalized between individuals, but was still possible without this cue. The removal of formant frequencies did not influence the discrimination, and there was no significant performance improvement across trials. These experiments suggest that individual acoustic discrimination is possible not only with species producing signature songs, but also with unlearned vocalizations of both birds and non-human mammals

Humans discriminate individual large-billed crows and individual cats by their respective vocalizations

Previous research has shown that human adults can easily discriminate two individual zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) by their signature songs, struggle to discriminate two individual rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) by their calls, and are unable to discriminate two individual dogs (Canis familiaris) by their barks. The purpose of the present experiment was to examine whether acoustic discrimination of individual non-primate heterospecifics is limited to species producing stereotyped signature songs, or whether it is possible with the vocalizations of other species as well. This was tested here with the calls of individual large-billed crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) and the meows of individual domestic cats (Felis catus) using a forced-choice Same-Different Paradigm. Results show a high discrimination accuracy without prior training, although the scores obtained here for both species were lower than those in the zebra finch discrimination task. Discrimination accuracy of cat voices decreased when mean pitch was equalized between individuals, but was still possible without this cue. The removal of formant frequencies did not influence the discrimination, and there was no significant performance improvement across trials. These experiments suggest that individual acoustic discrimination is possible not only with species producing signature songs, but also with unlearned vocalizations of both birds and non-human mammals

Humans discriminate individual zebra finches by their song

Comparative experiments have greatly advanced the field of biolinguistics in the 21st century, but so far very little research has focused on human perception of non-human animal vocalizations. Studies with zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) songs found that humans cannot perceive the full range of acoustic cues that zebra finches hear in their songs, although it remained unclear how much individual information is lost. Individual heterospecific discrimination by humans has only been shown with rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) voices. The present study examined whether human adults could discriminate two individual zebra finches by their songs, using a forced- choice Same-Different Paradigm. Results showed that adults can discriminate two individual zebra finches with high accuracy and without prior training. Discrimination mostly relied on differences in pitch contour, but discrimination was still possible with lower accuracy when pitch contour was removed. Future studies should expand these findings with more diverse non-human animal vocalizations

Cross-modal perception of identity by sound and taste in bottlenose dolphins

Funding: The study was supported by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship of the European Commission, grant number 661214 (J.N.B. and V.M.J.)While studies have demonstrated concept formation in animals, only humans are known to label concepts to use them in mental simulations or predictions. To investigate whether other animals use labels comparably, we studied cross-modal, individual recognition in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that use signature whistles as labels for conspecifics in their own communication. First, we tested whether dolphins could use gustatory stimuli and found that they could distinguish between water and urine samples, as well as between urine from familiar and unfamiliar individuals. Then, we paired playbacks of signature whistles of known animals with urine samples from either the same dolphin or a different, familiar animal. Dolphins investigated the presentation area longer when the acoustic and gustatory sample matched than when they mismatched. This demonstrates that dolphins recognize other individuals by gustation alone and can integrate information from acoustic and taste inputs indicating a modality independent, labeled concept for known conspecifics.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Cross-modal perception of identity by sound and taste in bottlenose dolphins

While studies have demonstrated concept formation in animals, only humans are known to label concepts to use them in mental simulations or predictions. To investigate whether other animals use labels comparably, we studied cross-modal, individual recognition in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that use signature whistles as labels for conspecifics in their own communication. First, we tested whether dolphins could use gustatory stimuli and found that they could distinguish between water and urine samples, as well as between urine from familiar and unfamiliar individuals. Then, we paired playbacks of signature whistles of known animals with urine samples from either the same dolphin or a different, familiar animal. Dolphins investigated the presentation area longer when the acoustic and gustatory sample matched than when they mismatched. This demonstrates that dolphins recognize other individuals by gustation alone and can integrate information from acoustic and taste inputs indicating a modality independent, labeled concept for known conspecifics

The role of animal cognition in human-wildlife interactions

This is the final version. Available on open access from Frontiers Media via the DOI in this record. Humans have a profound effect on the planet’s ecosystems, and unprecedented rates of human population growth and urbanization have brought wild animals into increasing contact with people. For many species, appropriate responses toward humans are likely to be critical to survival and reproductive success. Although numerous studies have investigated the impacts of human activity on biodiversity and species distributions, relatively few have examined the effects of humans on the behavioral responses of animals during human-wildlife encounters, and the cognitive processes underpinning those responses. Furthermore, while humans often present a significant threat to animals, the presence or behavior of people may be also associated with benefits, such as food rewards. In scenarios where humans vary in their behavior, wild animals would be expected to benefit from the ability to discriminate between dangerous, neutral and rewarding people. Additionally, individual differences in cognitive and behavioral phenotypes and past experiences with humans may affect animals’ ability to exploit human-dominated environments and respond appropriately to human cues. In this review, we examine the cues that wild animals use to modulate their behavioral responses toward humans, such as human facial features and gaze direction. We discuss when wild animals are expected to attend to certain cues, how information is used, and the cognitive mechanisms involved. We consider how the cognitive abilities of wild animals are likely to be under selection by humans and therefore influence population and community composition. We conclude by highlighting the need for long-term studies on free-living, wild animals to fully understand the causes and ecological consequences of variation in responses to human cues. The effects of humans on wildlife behavior are likely to be substantial, and a detailed understanding of these effects is key to implementing effective conservation strategies and managing human-wildlife conflict.Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC

Humans Discriminate Individual Large-Billed Crows and Individual Cats by Their Respective Vocalizations

Previous research has shown that human adults can easily discriminate two individual zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) by their signature songs, struggle to discriminate two individual rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) by their calls, and are unable to discriminate two individual dogs (Canis familiaris) by their barks. The purpose of the present experiment was to examine whether acoustic discrimination of individual non-primate heterospecifics is limited to species producing stereotyped signature songs, or whether it is possible with the vocalizations of other species as well. This was tested here with the calls of individual large-billed crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) and the meows of individual domestic cats (Felis catus) using a forced-choice Same-Different Paradigm. Results show a high discrimination accuracy without prior training, although the scores obtained here for both species were lower than those in the zebra finch discrimination task. Discrimination accuracy of cat voices decreased when mean pitch was equalized between individuals, but was still possible without this cue. The removal of formant frequencies did not influence the discrimination, and there was no significant performance improvement across trials. These experiments suggest that individual acoustic discrimination is possible not only with species producing signature songs, but also with unlearned vocalizations of both birds and non-human mammals

The Abyssinian Art of Louis Agassiz Fuertes in the Field Museum

This book documents the paintings and drawings executed by Louis Agassiz Fuertes during the Field Museum of Natural History’s seven-month expedition to Ethiopia (Abyssinia) in 1926–27. During that time Fuertes completed 70 field watercolors that illustrate 55 species of birds and four species of mammals. He also executed 34 pencil drawings, which illustrate 13 species of mammals and 11 species of birds, plus numerous miscellaneous sketches and small watercolors. This book identifies and describes the biology of all 69 species of birds and mammals illustrated by Fuertes and includes 32 color reproductions of Fuertes’s watercolors that were published as a limited-edition album in 1930 by the Field Museum. The 60,000-word text provides brief summaries of all these species’ ecology, behavior, and reproductive biology as well as information about their current populations and conservation status. A review of Fuertes’s life, his influence on modern bird and wildlife art, and his participation in and artistic contributions to the Field Museum’s Abyssinian Expedition is also included, as well as more than 250 bibliographic citations.https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/zeabook/1083/thumbnail.jp

Prosociality, social cognition and empathy in psittacids and corvids

In the animal kingdom some species form complex social groups in which elaborated relationships between individuals occur. Prosocial behaviors, i.e. actions that benefit others, preferentially occur between closely affiliated individuals and may be driven by empathy, the ability to identify and share the emotional states of others. Birds, particularly corvids and parrots, are excellent candidates for investigating the link between social relationship and other-regarding behavior. They are long-lived and form long-term monogamous pair-bonds in which a high level of cooperation is seen throughout the year. The aim of this thesis is to study how the nature of a relationship (sibling, mate or friend) can modulate prosocial behavior and its underlying emotions in parrots and a corvid species. The approach was to study food-sharing or behavioral reactions to stressful situations such as distress call playback or exposure to novel objects, in different social contexts. Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) reacted more to the distress calls of a closely affiliated partner than to those of a non-partner, and they preferably shared food with affiliated, related individuals. Different species of parrots preferentially chose a prosocial option over a selfish one, but it remains unclear whether they took the other’s perspective into account. Confronted with intimidating novel objects, jackdaws (Coloeus monedula) spent more time in mutual proximity when paired with their mate than when with a familiar opposite-sex non-partner. However, they were not bolder when accompanied by their mate compared to a non-partner. These results suggest that an emotional link exists between affiliated individuals and that this special bond drives their prosocial and empathic behavioral responses.Im Tierreich gibt es Arten mit komplexer Gruppenstruktur, in denen Individuen aufwendige soziale Beziehungen mit Artgenossen eingehen. Prosoziales Verhalten, ein Verhalten zum Wohle Anderer, tritt bevorzugt zwischen Individuen auf, die eine starke gegenseitige Bindung aufweisen. Prosozialität beruht auf Empathie-Fähigkeit, die wiederum ein gewisses Verständnis der emotionalen Lage von Artgenossen voraussetzt. Vögel, insbesondere Papageien und Krähen, sind geeignete Modelle, um Zusammenhänge zwischen sozialer Bindung und prosozialem Verhalten zu untersuchen: sie bilden Langzeit-monogame Paare, die das Jahr hindurch miteinander kooperieren. Ziel dieser Doktorarbeit ist es, herauszufinden, wie soziale Bindungen (verwandtschaftlicher, sexueller, oder freundschaftlicher Natur) prosoziales Verhalten und Empathie beeinflussen. Zu diesem Ziel wurden Studien über Futterteilen und Verhaltensreaktionen auf Stress in verschiedenen sozialen Kontexten durchgeführt. Nymphensittiche (Nymphicus hollandicus) reagierten stärker auf Warnrufe ihres Partners als auf die eines anderen Gruppenmitglieds. Ebenso teilten verwandte Sittiche häufiger Futter miteinander als mit anderen Individuen. Verschiedene Papageienarten bevorzugten in einer Entscheidungssituation prosoziale über egoistische Optionen, wobei unklar bleibt, ob sie die Perspektive ihres Partners verstanden. Dohlen (Coloeus monedula), die mit einem für sie unheimlichen neuen Objekt konfrontiert wurden, verbrachten mehr Zeit in gegenseitiger Nähe, wenn sie mit Ihrem Partner als mit einem anderen Individuum getestet wurden. Sie verhielten sich aber in Gegenwart ihres Partners nicht mutiger. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass Bindungen zwischen Individuen prosoziales Verhalten und empathische Reaktionen aufeinander beeinflussen.Dans le règne animal, certaines espèces présentent une organisation en groupe complexe, permettant l’établissement d’interactions sociales plus ou moins élaborées entre les individus. Les comportements prosociaux, visant à améliorer le bien-être de l’autre, apparaissent préférentiellement entre animaux qui partagent une grande affinité ; ces comportements sont probablement favorisés par l’empathie, suggérant une prise en compte émotionnelle du partenaire. Les oiseaux, et particulièrement les corvidés et les psittacidés, se révèlent être d’excellents modèles pour étudier ce lien entre relation sociale et prise en compte de l’autre: ils forment des couples monogames sur le long terme au sein desquels une forte coopération existe. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’explorer comment le lien entre individus (familial, sexuel, amical) module les comportements prosociaux et empathiques. Les réactions des sujets sont évaluées via le partage de nourriture ou bien en observant une sensibilité accrue envers un congénère. Chez les perruches calopsittes (Nymphicus hollandicus), les oiseaux réagissent plus fortement au cri de détresse d’un oiseau préféré qu’au cri d’un autre congénère familier et les individus apparentés (frères et sœurs) partagent davantage la nourriture entre eux qu’avec les autres. Les perroquetsont tendance à être prosociaux mais la prise en compte de l’autre reste à confirmer. Les choucas des tours (Coloeus monedula), placés dans une situation nouvelle avec un autre oiseau, passent plus de temps à proximité de leur partenaire sexuel que d’un autre oiseau de sexe opposé. Ces différents résultats suggèrent qu’un lien d’affinité existe entre les individus et qu’il façonne leurs comportements en termes de prosocialité et d’empathie