Data from: Recognition of predator cues hinders social communication
Data files
May 14, 2025 version files 73.79 KB
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Analyses.R
17.22 KB
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calls.xlsx
43.22 KB
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data.csv
9.98 KB
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README.md
3.38 KB
Abstract
Antipredator defenses often rely on perception and discrimination of cues from predators, and alteration of behavior by potential prey. Characteristics of acoustic signals allow eavesdropping on calls of predators, permitting listeners to gauge predation risk by assessing the location and identity of the signaler. We tested the ability of bats that are preyed upon by other bats to discriminate between echolocation calls of predators and non-predators, and the impact of risk reduction strategies on communication and sociality. Bats distinguished between echolocation calls of predators and non-predators, recognizing predator calls with high accuracy. However, bats were more cautious when the structure of non-predator calls was similar to predator calls. In the presence of predator calls, bats ceased social communication, impacting sociality and disrupting group cohesion.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.6djh9w1d3
Description of the data and file structure
Title of project
Recognition of predator cues hinders social communication and group cohesion
Authors
Melquisedec Gamba-Rios, Gary F. McCracken and Gloriana Chaverri
General information
We tested the ability of bats that are preyed upon by other bats to discriminate between echolocation calls of predators and non-predators, and the impact of risk reduction strategies on communication and sociality.
Files and variables
File: data.csv
Description: Data for number of response calls emitted per individual and treatment.
Variables
- bat: unique identifier of individuals
- experiment: type of echolocation calls emitted during the trial in the order in which they were presented to focal bats (C: control, P: predator, F: frugivorous, I: insectivorous)
- order: the order in which non-predator (NP) or predator (P) calls were emitted, with NP-P being experiments in which the non-predator was presented first, and P-NP being experiments in which the predator was presented first.
- treatment: identifies if the response calls quantified correspond to events in which a predator or non-predator echolocation call was broadcast
- bat_type: identifies the type of echolocation calls (control, carnivorous, frugivorous, insectivorous) that were being emitted when responses were quantified
- period: determines if data on number of responses were collected before, during, or after the emission of echolocation calls
- response: number of response calls emitted by the focal bat
File: calls.xlsx
Description: Echolocation call parameters for the species used during playback.
Variables
- duration: Duration of the call in seconds (s).
- disttomax: Time from call start to point of maximum amplitude, in seconds (s).
- spectral parameters: peak freq(...): Peak frequency at that time point, in Hertz (Hz); min freq(...): Minimum frequency at that time point, in Hz; max freq(...): Maximum frequency at that time point, in Hz; entropy(...): Spectral entropy (unitless), a measure of signal complexity; lower values = more tonal calls, higher values = more noisy or broadband calls. Each one of these parameters was measured at different temporal points within the call: (start), (end), (centre), (max), (mean), and (0) through (4). These temporal points represent: start: beginning of the call, end: end of the call, centre: midpoint of the call, max: time of maximum amplitude, mean: average across the entire call, 0 to 4: equally spaced time segments along the call duration.
- bat_type: determines whether a given call belonged Vampyrum spectrum (carnivorous bat), Uroderma convexum (frugivorous bat), Rhogeessa io (sympatric insectivorous bat) or Molossops temminckii (non-sympatric insectivorous bat)
Code/Software
Analyses.R: This R script analyzes bat behavioral responses to acoustic stimuli using generalized linear mixed models, PCA, clustering, and signal detection theory. It also generates statistical plots and figures for publication.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data: