Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/30484
Title: Call of duty? Variation in use of the watchman's song by sentinel dwarf mongooses, Helogale parvula
Contributor(s): Kern, Julie M  (author); Radford, Andrew N (author)
Publication Date: 2013-05
Early Online Version: 2013-03-25
DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.02.020
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/30484
Abstract: Social information is invaluable in assessing the need for antipredator behaviour. Individuals can acquire such information by observing the behaviour of others, but reliance on visual cues may be undermined by visual obstructions and social monitoring is often incompatible with foraging. Vocal communication does not require the close proximity of senders and receivers or the suspension of other activities, and there is increasing evidence that foragers can use vocalizations to inform decisions about their own vigilance. However, less work has focused on what factors influence signallers in this context. We used detailed behavioural observations and a playback experiment manipulating perceived risk to investigate the calling behaviour of dwarf mongoose sentinels. Sentinels vocalized more often in dense habitats and when foragers were further away, when visual cues were less likely to be useful. Sentinels also vocalized more in situations most advantageous to others, including when groupmates were likely to be distracted (e.g. when babysitting or foraging) and following an alarm call; sentinels may provide an 'all clear' signal. Call rate was reduced in high-risk situations, such as immediately after an alarm call. Individuals of different age, sex and dominance status varied in their likelihood of calling and their response to situations of similar risk, probably because of different cost–benefit trade-offs for separate classes. Our study offers strong evidence that dwarf mongoose sentinels are adjusting their vocal behaviour both to enhance the likelihood that groupmates are aware of their presence and to provide potentially valuable social information about current risk.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Animal Behaviour, 85(5), p. 967-975
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1095-8282
0003-3472
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060801 Animal Behaviour
060201 Behavioural Ecology
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 310901 Animal behaviour
310301 Behavioural ecology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 280102 Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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