Dialog with black box: using Information Theory to study animal language behaviour

Abstract

In this review, three main experimental approaches for studying animal language behaviour are compared: (1) direct decoding of animals' communication, (2) the use of intermediary languages to communicate with animals and (3) application of ideas and methods of the Information Theory for studying quantitative characteristics of animal communication. Each of the three methodological approaches has its specific power and specific limitations. Deciphering animals' signals reveals a complex picture of natural communication in its evolutionary perspective but only fragmentary because of many methodological barriers, among which low repeatability of standard living situations seems to be a bottleneck. Language-training experiments are of great help for discovering potentials of animal language behaviour but leaves characteristics of their natural communications unclear. The use of the methods of Information Theory is based on measuring the time duration that animals spend on transmitting messages of definite information content and complexity. This approach, although does not reveal the nature of animals' signals, provides a new dimension for studying important characteristics of natural communication systems, which have not been available before. First of all, this approach enables explorers of animals' language behaviour to obtain knowledge just about the ability of subjects for transferring meaningful messages. Besides, the important properties of animal communication and intelligence can be evaluated such as the rate of information transmission, the complexity of transferred information and potential flexibility of communication systems.

Arguments for the Integration of the Non-Zero-Sum Logic of Complex Animal Communication with Information Theory

“…Evidently, large sample sizes are essential to make use of the full potential of the analytical capabilities of the information theory (see [4] for acoustic data), and collecting large samples represents the most challenging constraint we are faced when studying animal communication. This is because a bottleneck for decoding animals' signals is low repeatability of standard living situations, which could give keys for "cracking" animals' species specific codes [5]. Animals tend to behave similarly in repeatable situations, and if these repeatable behaviours are elicited by the distinctive repeatable signals, these behaviours can be used as keys to decode the function and meaning of communication in the wild.…”

“…This novel approach promises to be one of the most intriguing for the future exploration of animal communication that information theory offers, and should not be overlooked by behavioural ecologists. The application of information theory's ideas and methods has already helped to demonstrate that species or groups of species have very intricate and frequently overlooked forms of animal communication [5,19].…”

“…Finally, a complementary way to approach biological signalling using information theory has been recently suggested by Reznikova [5]. By measuring the time that the animals spend on transmitting messages with desired conditions, we can judge the potential of their communicative system.…”

“…Although rarely applied to the study of animal communication [4,5,[22][23][24][25] and references therein], information theory has generally been applied to the communication in social species. Undoubtedly, social species have the potential to have an immediate impact on researchers interested in animal communication because of the evident need that grouped individuals have to communicate amongst them.…”

The Role of Off-line Communication in Human Evolution

“…Not to mention the numerous and successful experiments on primates (Savage-Rumbaugh et al 2001;Toth et al 1993), I will point to less known but really overwhelming results on lower species. Thus, Zoya Zorina (2005) and Zhanna Reznikova (2007) have proven that even insects are capable not only of operating complex mental representations, but also of externalizing the processed information and exchanging it with other individuals when interacting on the interpersonal level. Reznikova's studies have shown that there is considerable numerical competence in ants (Reznikova and Ryabko 2001).…”