The erroneous signals of detection theory

Trimmer, Pete C.; Ehlman, Sean M.; McNamara, John M.; Sih, Andrew

doi:10.1098/rspb.2017.1852

Cited by 27 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The reason is that chronically elevated danger lowers the expectation of survival, which reduces the value of the future and so raises the value of present investment. Trimmer et al (2017) use signal detection theory to reach the same conclusion. Though the RAH does not explicitly consider the present-future trade-off, all three approaches conclude that responses to a predator depend on the larger context.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Risk allocation: acute and chronic predator exposure have contrasting effects on Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) singing behaviour

Ellison

Ydenberg

2019

Can. J. Zool.

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Increasing the danger posed by predators may cause prey animals to alter their behaviour. For example, they may be more vigilant and so feed more slowly. Breeding male Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia (A. Wilson, 1810)) spend much time in conspicuous, loud song, which is an important behaviour for territorial defense and for mate attraction. We measured their singing behaviour in relation to both chronic (active Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii (Bonaparte, 1828)) nest nearby) and acute (playback of hawk calls) predator exposure. We found that proximity to a Cooper’s Hawk nest had little or no influence. In contrast, the response to acute exposure was strong and immediate: Song Sparrows reduced the song rate and the proportion of time spent singing, lowered perch height, and increased concealment. The decline in the amount of song during the few minutes following playback attributable to the acute exposure was 34.6%. We analyze these results in light of theories about how animals adjust risk taking in response to predation danger. Given that the numbers of their predators have risen steadily for the past few decades and affect the level of singing, we consider the implications for trend estimates of songbird populations based on surveys using auditory methods.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Risk allocation: acute and chronic predator exposure have contrasting effects on Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) singing behaviour

Ellison

Ydenberg

2019

Can. J. Zool.

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“…Despite its popularity and versatility, SDT has recently come in for stark criticism (Trimmer et al 2017a;McNamara and Trimmer 2019). The focus for criticism in these papers was the single-encounter formulation, referred to as "standard" (Trimmer et al 2017a) or "classical" (McNamara and Trimmer 2019) signal detection theory. The single-encounter formulation makes the reasonable prediction that as the probability of a given event increases, individuals should be more likely to make the decision that is appropriate for that event.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…For example, if the underlying probability of danger or harm increases, individuals should be more cautious and likely to take steps to avoid that danger. However, despite its intuitive appeal, this insight is described as "thoroughly misleading" when applied to ecological scenarios that involve sequential encounters (Trimmer et al 2017a). By modelling the building up of energy reserves under risk of predation, Trimmer et al (2017a) and McNamara and Trimmer (2019) have shown (somewhat counter-intuitively) that it can be optimal to respond to a higher overall probability of danger by being less cautious.…”

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confidence: 99%

Coping with Danger and Deception: Lessons from Signal Detection Theory

Holen

Sherratt

2021

The American Naturalist

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Signal detection theory (SDT) has been used to model optimal stimulus discrimination for over four decades within evolutionary ecology. A popular standard model that maximizes payoff per encounter was recently criticized for being too simplistic, leading to erroneous predictions. We review a number of SDT models that have received less attention but have explicitly taken repeated encounters into account, focusing on prey choice, mate search, aggressive mimicry, and the aiding of kin. We show how these models can be seen as variants of a second standard model that can be analyzed in a unified framework. In contrast to the simpler model, in this second model a higher probability of an undesirable or dangerous event occurring may either decrease or increase the receiver's acceptance rates. In each instance, the latter outcome requires undesirable events to be undesirable in a relative rather than absolute sense. Increasing the abundance of desirable signalers or the payoff from accepting them may also either raise or reduce acceptance rates. Our synthesis highlights fundamental similarities among models previously studied on a case-by-case basis, and challenges some long-held beliefs. For example, some classic predictions of Batesian mimicry can be reversed when model prey are protected by low profitability rather than harmful defense.

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“…The mechanisms through which boldness subsides in the presence of unfamiliar objects, scents and noises is unknown. One possibility though, is that neophobia may provide a fitness advantage when inspecting novel stimuli as this behaviour may incur greater costs, even under natural conditions (Lima & Bednekoff, ; Higginson et al ., ; Trimmer et al ., ). Neophobia may also be more advantageous in urban areas as this behavioural response could protect lizards from dangers such as pollutants (Greggor et al ., ), or by reducing the time exploring novel stimuli which may impose greater vulnerability to unfamiliar predators (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inherent behavioural traits enable a widespread lizard to cope with urban life

et al. 2018

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The global human population is increasing at a staggering rate, and more than half of that population resides in urban areas. As urbanization spreads across the landscape, animals are often confronted with a vast number of unfamiliar stimuli. Existing evidence from studies of birds and mammals suggests that increased boldness, arising either through behavioural plasticity or an intrinsic risk-taking ability, can provide a fitness advantage in urban environments. What is less clear, is if these same patterns are prevalent in other taxa. Accordingly, we measured the expression of boldness in two contexts, novelty and anti-predatory behaviour, in a successful urban lizard, the delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata). Lizards from genetically related urban and non-urban populations were exposed to a novel object, scent and noise as well as a simulated predator attack. Contrary to much of the current research, we found no behavioural variation between urban and non-urban populations, as all lizards exhibited similarly high levels of risk-taking behaviour in their antipredator response as well as neophobia towards the novel object, scent and noise. Our results suggest that the delicate skink is able to cope with the challenges of urban conditions through its inherent traits. As urbanization becomes more widespread, we need to better understand which animals are able to cope with altered environmental conditions and how that is achieved. This will be critical if we are to fully grasp the impacts of anthropogenic change on faunal communities globally.

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The erroneous signals of detection theory

Cited by 27 publications

References 29 publications

Risk allocation: acute and chronic predator exposure have contrasting effects on Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) singing behaviour

Risk allocation: acute and chronic predator exposure have contrasting effects on Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) singing behaviour

Coping with Danger and Deception: Lessons from Signal Detection Theory

Inherent behavioural traits enable a widespread lizard to cope with urban life

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