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.

• Animal Behaviour
• Animal Communication
• Animal physiology
• Evolution
• Information Theory
• Neurobiology
• Noise Pollution
• Senory Ecology
• Signal Detection Theory
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio

“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,

“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)

• Communication and Social Behaviour Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany

  Henrik Brumm

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