Alarm call modification by prairie dogs in the presence of juveniles

• Published in: Journal of ethology 2019-05, Vol.37 (2), p.167-174
• Main Authors: Wilson-Henjum, Grete E., Job, Jacob R., McKenna, Megan F., Shannon, Graeme, Wittemyer, George
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Animal Ecology; Behavioral plasticity; Behavioral Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Conspecifics; Evolutionary Biology; Life Sciences; Prairie dogs; Zoology
• ISSN: 0289-0771; 1439-5444
• DOI: 10.1007/s10164-018-0582-8

While several drivers of wildlife alarm calls have been identified, recent work on the impact of the audience on the plasticity of alarm calling indicates that intraspecific communication can drive this behavior. We build on this literature by assessing changes in call characteristics in black-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus ) in the presence of recently emerged juveniles. Alarm calls were elicited by approaching individuals, and then recorded using a shotgun microphone. Presence and distance of pups were noted prior to recording. Alarm calls were analyzed for changes in spectral and temporal characteristics relative to those of adults that were not in the immediate presence of pups. Our analyses indicated that adult prairie dogs lowered the central concentration of energy in their alarm calls when calling in the presence of pups. This may show that prairie dogs are conscious of the type of alarm call produced based on the behavioral context of calling and potentially the audience receiving the message. Furthermore, this may support the hypothesis that alarm calling is intended to reach conspecifics, rather than to send a message to the predator itself.