Data from: Wild dwarf mongooses produce general alert and predator-specific alarm calls

Many species produce alarm calls in response to predator threats. Whilst
these can be general alert calls, some are urgency-based, indicating
perceived threat level, some are predator-specific, indicating the
predator type present, and some encode information about both urgency
level and predator type. Predator-specific calls given to a narrow range
of stimuli and which elicit a specific, adaptive, response from the
receiver are termed functionally referential. Differing escape strategies,
habitat structural complexity and sociality may favor the evolution of
functionally referential calls. A study of one captive group of dwarf
mongooses (Helogale parvula) suggested their alarm calls could transmit
information about species, distance, and elevation of predators. Using
recordings of natural predator encounters, predator presentations and
audio playbacks, we investigated the alarm-call system in 7 wild dwarf
mongoose groups. We recorded 11 different alarm-call types given to 9
stimulus categories. Of the 5 commonly emitted alarm-call types, 3
appeared to be non-specific and 2 predator-specific, given to aerial and
terrestrial predators respectively. The remaining 6 call types were rarely
produced. Furthermore, aerial alarms were given to a narrower range of
stimuli than their terrestrial alarm calls, which were given to both
visible terrestrial predators and secondary cues of predators. Unlike
other mongoose species, dwarf mongoose seem to use the same alarm-call
type for both physically present terrestrial predators and secondary cues
of their presence. We argue that detailed knowledge of species’ alarm-call
systems under natural conditions can shed light on the evolutionary
emergence of different types of alarm calls.