Award Abstract # 0951010
RESUBMISSION Understanding predator-prey signaling interactions: the dynamics of antisnake displays in ground squirrels and kangaroo rats

NSF Org: IOS
Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems
Recipient: SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
Initial Amendment Date: June 21, 2010
Latest Amendment Date: April 8, 2013
Award Number: 0951010
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Michelle Elekonich
melekoni@nsf.gov
 (703)292-7202
IOS
 Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems
BIO
 Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date: July 1, 2010
End Date: December 31, 2015 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $390,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $390,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2010 = $105,000.00
FY 2011 = $220,000.00

FY 2013 = $65,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Rulon Clark (Principal Investigator)
    rclark@sdsu.edu
  • Sanjay Joshi (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: San Diego State University Foundation
5250 CAMPANILE DR
SAN DIEGO
CA  US  92182-1901
(619)594-5731
Sponsor Congressional District: 51
Primary Place of Performance: San Diego State University
5300 Campanile Drive
San Diego
CA  US  92115-1338
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
51
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): H59JKGFZKHL7
Parent UEI: H59JKGFZKHL7
NSF Program(s): Animal Behavior
Primary Program Source: 01001011DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
01001112DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01001314DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s): 9179, 9183, BIOT
Program Element Code(s): 765900
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.074

ABSTRACT

When confronted with predators, many animals engage in lengthy, conspicuous displays. These antipredator signals are often assumed to be alarm calls that function to warn other individuals about the predator. However, recent research has shown that many of these anti-predator displays may actually be an attempt to communicate with the predator itself. Currently, little is known concerning the function and evolution of communication between two antagonistic parties, like predators and prey. This project will examine several hypotheses about the function of predator-prey communication by focusing on displays given by small mammals when they encounter rattlesnakes. The investigators will use video surveillance equipment and radio telemetry to document natural interactions between rattlesnakes and small mammals in the field. They will also design biorobotic animal models that can recreate key elements of the displays for experimental "playbacks". This playback approach will allow researchers to examine how specific behaviors used by small mammals may modify snake foraging behavior, and will provide the first experimental examination of key predictions derived from predator-prey communication theory. This project will provide novel insights into honesty in animal communication, antagonistic coevolution, and the role of receiver sensory systems in shaping signaling behavior. In terms of broader impacts beyond basic biological science, this project will (1) establish collaborations between ecologists and mechanical engineers to develop next-generation robotic technologies for the study of animal behavior; (2) increase participation of underrepresented minorities in research science; (3) develop public outreach through lectures, popular articles, radio, and documentary films; and, (4) provide mentoring for several undergraduate and graduate students.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Barbour, Matthew A.; Clark, Rulon W. "Diel Cycles in Chemosensory Behaviors of Free-Ranging Rattlesnakes Lying in Wait for Prey" ETHOLOGY , v.118 , 2012 , p.480-488
Barbour, Matthew A.; Clark, Rulon W. "Ground squirrel tail-flag displays alter both predatory strike and ambush site selection behaviours of rattlesnakes" PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES , v.279 , 2012 , p.3827-3833
Clark, Rulon W.; Tangco, Sean; Barbour, Matthew A. "Field video recordings reveal factors influencing predatory strike success of free-ranging rattlesnakes (Crotalus spp.)" ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR , v.84 , 2012 , p.183-190
Clark RW, Dorr S, Putman B, Freymiller G, Whitford M "Activity cycles and foraging behaviors of free-ranging sidewinder rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerastes): the ontogeny of hunting in a precocial vertebrate" Zoology , v.Online , 2016
Matthew A. Barbour, Rulon W. Clark "Diel cycles in chemosensory behaviors of rattlesnakes lying in wait for prey" Ethology , v.Online , 2012 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2012.02035.x
Putman B, Clark RW "Unseen predators are the most fearsome: ground squirrels signal vigilance in the absence of snakes" Behavioral Ecology , 2015
Putman B, Coss RG, Clark RW "Age differences in antipredator behaviors of California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) at multiple stages of rattlesnake predation" Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology , 2015
Putman BJ, Barbour MA, Clark RW "Foraging behavior of free ranging rattlesnakes in California ground squirrel colonies" Herpetologica , 2016
Putman BJ, Clark RW "Habitat manipulations in hunting rattlesnakes" Southwestern Naturalist , 2016
Sanjay Joshi, Ryan Johnson, Aaron Rundus, Rulon W. Clark, Matthew Barbour, Donald H. Owings "Robotic squirrel models: stud of squirrel-rattlesnake interaction in laboratory and natural settings" IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine , v.18 , 2011 , p.59 10.1109/MRA.2011.942121

PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT

Disclaimer

This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.

The goal of our research was to understand the antipredator displays small mammals give toward venomous snakes. We completed five years of field and laboratory work pioneering a variety of observational and experimental approaches that had not been attempted previously. We studied both ground squirrels and kangaroo rats, different types of small mammals that independently have evolved anti-snake displays.  We used a combination of biorobotic models, field videography techniques, animal observation, and other experimental approaches to develop and test different ideas concerning why these anti-snake signals have evolved. We published a large number of scientific papers that greatly transformed our knowledge of predator-prey communication. We now have a much better understanding of how these signals function, and what types of anti-predator adaptations have also evolved in these animals. Our research has led to a number of new discoveries that are currently serving as the foundation for more in-depth collaboration with other scientists. In addition to making these important scientific discoveries, we trained and mentored over 40 students (both graduate and undergraduate) who have gone on to productive careers in the sciences. We have also undertaken several different efforts to disseminate our results to the public, and stimulate further public interest in evolutionary research. These efforts include extensive interviews with different media outlets (print newspapers, online magazines, etc.). We have served as consultants on several nature documentaries featuring our research that have been viewed widely throughout the world. We have also developed and maintained several websites and a YouTube channel to disseminate results of our work to the public.


Last Modified: 03/23/2016
Modified by: Rulon W Clark

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