Animal Communication and Noise

The study of animal communication has led to significant progress in our general understanding of motor and sensory systems, evolution, and speciation. However, one often neglected aspect is that signal exchange in every modality is constrained by noise, be it in the transmission channel or in the nervous system. This book analyses whether and how animals can cope with such constraints, and explores the implications that noise has for our understanding of animal communication. It is written by leading biologists working on different taxa including insects, fish, amphibians, lizards, birds, and mammals. In addition to this broad taxonomic approach, the chapters also cover a wide array of research disciplines: from the mechanisms of signal production and perception, to the behavioural ecology of signalling, the evolution of animal communication, and conservation issues. This volume promotes the integration of the knowledge gained by the diverse approaches to the study of animal communication and, at the same time, highlights particularly interesting fields of current and future research.

List of contents

Introduction.- Signal Detection, Noise, and the Evolution of Communication.- Masking by Noise in Acoustic Insects: Problems and Solutions.- Effects of Noise on Sound Detection and Acoustic Communication in Fishes.- Anuran Acoustic Signal Production in Noisy Environments.- Anuran Acoustic Signal Perception in Noisy Environments.- Avian Vocal Production in Noise.- Avian Sound Perception in Noise.- Effects of Noise on Acoustic Signal Production in Marine Mammals.- Effects of Noise on Sound Perception in Marine Mammals.- Noise in Visual Communication: Motion from Wind-Blown Plants.- Neural Noise in Electro communication -from Burden to Benefits.- Noise in Chemical Communication.- Anthropogenic Noise and Conservation.

Summary

The study of animal communication has led to significant progress in our general understanding of motor and sensory systems, evolution, and speciation. However, one often neglected aspect is that signal exchange in every modality is constrained by noise, be it in the transmission channel or in the nervous system. This book analyses whether and how animals can cope with such constraints, and explores the implications that noise has for our understanding of animal communication. It is written by leading biologists working on different taxa including insects, fish, amphibians, lizards, birds, and mammals. In addition to this broad taxonomic approach, the chapters also cover a wide array of research disciplines: from the mechanisms of signal production and perception, to the behavioural ecology of signalling, the evolution of animal communication, and conservation issues. This volume promotes the integration of the knowledge gained by the diverse approaches to the study of animal communication and, at the same time, highlights particularly interesting fields of current and future research.  

Additional text

“Animal Communication and Noise … is a reference work of the highest standard that will be useful for researchers, students and lecturers in a variety of disciplines, from conservation and animal behaviour to evolution and the physics of sound.” (Pat Sang, The Biologist, Vol. 64 (3), 2017)
“The book begins with a discussion of signal detection theory, followed by a broad taxonomic survey of how noise affects signal production and reception. … The book is theoretically strong, covers a diversity of topics in impressive depth, and represents the most comprehensive synthesis of a fascinating developing field. … Animal Communication in Noise provides a thorough introduction for those new to the topic and serves as a valuable reference even for those experienced in the field.” (Laurel B. Symes and Trevor D. Price, Animal Behaviour, Vol. 108,
October, 2015)

“Animal communication in different sensory modalities is often oversimplified, and this volume evaluating communication in the face of noise helps to remedy this superficial treatment. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals.” (J. A. Mather, Choice, Vol. 51 (11), August, 2014)

“The book, Animal Communication and Noise, which is edited by Henrik Brumm, is a great resource for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professionals … . This book is an excellent resource for individuals interested in the emerging issue of the impact of anthropogenic sound on animals, those interested in how animals have evolved to mitigate noise interference in communication and comparative biologists and bio-acousticians interested in evolutionary solutions to noise across taxa.” (Dorian S. Houser, Noise Control Engineering Journal, Vol. 62 (4), July-August, 2014)

Report

"Animal Communication and Noise ... is a reference work of the highest standard that will be useful for researchers, students and lecturers in a variety of disciplines, from conservation and animal behaviour to evolution and the physics of sound." (Pat Sang, The Biologist, Vol. 64 (3), 2017)
"The book begins with a discussion of signal detection theory, followed by a broad taxonomic survey of how noise affects signal production and reception. ... The book is theoretically strong, covers a diversity of topics in impressive depth, and represents the most comprehensive synthesis of a fascinating developing field. ... Animal Communication in Noise provides a thorough introduction for those new to the topic and serves as a valuable reference even for those experienced in the field." (Laurel B. Symes and Trevor D. Price, Animal Behaviour, Vol. 108,
October, 2015)
"Animal communication in different sensory modalities is often oversimplified, and this volume evaluating communication in the face of noise helps to remedy this superficial treatment. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals." (J. A. Mather, Choice, Vol. 51 (11), August, 2014)

"The book, Animal Communication and Noise, which is edited by Henrik Brumm, is a great resource for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professionals ... . This book is an excellent resource for individuals interested in the emerging issue of the impact of anthropogenic sound on animals, those interested in how animals have evolved to mitigate noise interference in communication and comparative biologists and bio-acousticians interested in evolutionary solutions to noise across taxa." (Dorian S. Houser, Noise Control Engineering Journal, Vol. 62 (4), July-August, 2014)

Product details

• Assisted by: Henri Brumm (Editor), Henrik Brumm (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2016
• EAN: 9783662520307
• ISBN: 978-3-662-52030-7
• No. of pages: 453
• Dimensions: 155 mm x 25 mm x 235 mm
• Weight: 698 g
• Illustrations: VIII, 453 p. 107 illus., 34 illus. in color.
• Series: Animal Signals and Communication; Animal Signals and Communication
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > Non-clinical medicine; B, Evolution, Neuroscience, Zoology & animal sciences, Neurosciences, Behavioral Sciences, Evolutionary Biology, Biomedical and Life Sciences, Animal Physiology, Behaviourism, Behavioural theory, Pollution control, Neurobiology, Noise Control, Behavioral Neuroscience, Acoustic and sound engineering