Group size and social interactions are associated with calling behavior in Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis)
The complexity of a social group may influence the vocal behavior of group members. Recent evidence in Carolina chickadees, Poecile carolinensis, indicated that one component of social complexity, group size, influenced the complexity of the “chick-a-dee” call, a vocalization functioning in social cohesion. Individuals in larger social groups used calls with greater information than did […]
Social Knowledge and Signals in Primates
Primates are notable for having a rich and detailed understanding of their social environment and there has been great interest in the evolution and function of social knowledge in primates. Indeed, primates have been shown to have impressive understandings of not only other group members but also the complex relationships among them. To be useful, […]
Signals in family conflicts
Although the role of animal signals in the resolution of family conflicts has been thoroughly studied, it has been typically analysed in isolated two-player interactions. For instance, parents are usually considered as the sole receivers of offspring begging signals or mates the receivers of sexual displays. However, this view does not wholly encompass the dynamic […]
Sustainable animal welfare: does forcing farmers into transition help?
Dutch society is changing, and so is its attitude towards animal welfare. Meat retailers respond by laying down minimum-quality criteria for farmers who wish to supply to supermarkets-forcing them to either aim for higher quality or lose their market. Policy-wise this is a top-down measure that leads to a redistribution of markets. From farmer perspective, […]