Dingo Howls: The Content and Efficacy of a Long-Range Vocal Signal

摘要: Signals are shaped through selective pressures impacting their information content (i.e. ‘what’ is conveyed) and efficacy ‘how’ it conveyed). In the case of long-range communication, a signal's structure should both convey allow for detection discrimination despite effects environmental variability during propagation. Canid howls an ideal example communication signal, although research has mostly focused on relationships between howls’ acoustic characteristics potential in wolves, Canis lupus spp., coyotes, latrans. this study, we quantified these another canid, dingo, familiaris to determine how compare that other wild canids. We found dingoes’ individually distinctive may gender cues. Playback experiments indicate dingoes can perform class-level recognition familiar unfamiliar individuals basis vocalizations alone. These results mirror findings canids such as wolves coyotes. Lastly, propagation demonstrate permit long-distance detectability discriminability. discuss our relation putative functions canid propose avenues future research.