Information Theory Opens New Dimensions in Experimental Studies of Animal Behaviour and Communication

Abstract

Over the last 40–50 years, ethology has become increasingly quantitative and computational. However, when analysing animal behavioural sequences, researchers often need help finding an adequate model to assess certain characteristics of these sequences while using a relatively small number of parameters. In this review, I demonstrate that the information theory approaches based on Shannon entropy and Kolmogorov complexity can furnish effective tools to analyse and compare animal natural behaviours. In addition to a comparative analysis of stereotypic behavioural sequences, information theory can provide ideas for particular experiments on sophisticated animal communications. In particular, it has made it possible to discover the existence of a developed symbolic “language” in leader-scouting ant species based on the ability of these ants to transfer abstract information about remote events.

Editorial: Recent Advances in Animal Cognition and Ethology

“…Drones were utilised to study multilevel animal societies [ 26 ], providing insights into the positioning patterns and behavioural propagation mechanisms in such groups. Finally, a review paper [ 27 ] highlighted the application of information theory in the analysis of animal behavioural sequences. This approach proved effective in decoding stereotypic behavioural sequences and revealing the existence of a symbolic ‘language’ in leader-scouting ant species, offering new avenues for experimental studies of animal behaviour and communication.…”

“…This deep learning approach expedited the analysis of extensive datasets, enhancing our understanding of primate vocalisations. Information theory, based on Shannon entropy and Kolmogorov complexity, became a valuable tool for analysing and comparing animal behavioural sequences [ 27 ]. It proved effective in uncovering complex natural behaviours.…”