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St Andrews plays host to innovative animal communication conference.
From chattering monkeys to whistling dolphins and singing birds, experts in how animals communicate with each other using sounds gathered at the University of St Andrews for a major conference on the subject.
The event highlighted the phenomenal range of studies currently underway into how animals communicate, from attracting mates to scaring off enemies.
Organised by St Andrews' researchers Dr Vincent Janik and Professor Klaus Zuberbuhler, with Professor Nicola Clayton from Cambridge, who did her PhD in St Andrews, the event brought together 140 leading experts from around the world.
Hosted by the University's Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, a world-class base for research on animal traditions, culture and learning, the event was held in honour of St Andrews' Professor of Natural History, Peter Slater, a leading expert in bird song who retires this year. Professor Slater, who joined St Andrews in 1984 as Professor of Natural History, has been studying bird song for 30 years.