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Abstract Behavior is a useful trait for comparative studies that provide the comprehension of phylogenetic relationships among species. Here, we present a description of two spiny-rats species’ behavioral repertoire, Clyomys laticeps and Trinomys setosus (Rodentia: Echimyidae). The affiliative and agonistic behavioral patterns were sampled during a three-year study of captive populations of wild animals. Observational data were collected in two phases under different arrangements of individuals in groups. We also compare the behavioral traits of T. setosus and C. laticeps with the known behavioral patterns of Trinomys yonenagae. We add categories to the previous descriptions of T. setosus and a standard ethogram for C. laticeps. Trinomys setosus showed a visual and vocal display we called foot-trembling, which was not described in this form and function for other species studied until now. We discuss the differences in their sociality levels and similarities and differences among behavior patterns and repertoires. Resumo O comportamento é uma característica útil para estudos comparativos que fornecem a compreensão das relações filogenéticas entre as espécies. Apresentamos aqui uma descrição do repertório comportamental de duas espécies de ratos-de-espinho Clyomys laticeps and Trinomys setosus (Rodentia: Echimyidae). Os padrões comportamentais afiliativos e agonísticos foram amostrados durante um estudo de três anos em populações de animais silvestres em cativeiro. Os dados foram coletados em duas fases sob diferentes arranjos de indivíduos em grupos sociais. Comparamos as características comportamentais de T. setosus e C. laticeps com as da espécie mais conhecida, T. yonenagae. Adicionamos categorias às descrições anteriores de T. setosus, e um etograma padrão para C. laticeps. Trinomys setosus mostrou uma exibição visual e vocal que chamamos de saltitar, que não foi descrito nesta forma e função para outras espécies do gênero estudado até agora. Discutimos diferenças nos níveis de socialidade e similaridades e diferenças entre os padrões comportamentais e repertórios.

In many spiders, limb autotomy (self-amputation) is a common anti-predator behavior. While many species are able to regenerate lost limbs without apparent fitness costs, there are demonstrable costs in others. Previous studies have shown males of the brush-legged wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz, 1844) incur reduced mating success after autotomy and/or regeneration of their decorated forelimbs, which affects visual courtship displays. However, because courtship of male S. ocreata is multimodal and contains vibratory/seismic signals, communication in this channel might also be affected. We recorded female receptivity to isolated male vibratory/seismic courtship signals from: males with intact forelimbs (control), males with a regenerated forelimb, and males missing a forelimb. Females were more receptive to isolated vibratory/seismic signals of intact males over males missing a foreleg, but not males that regenerated a foreleg. Although initial size and body condition did not differ among treatments, regeneration of a limb had a significant negative impact on growth increment from penultimate instar to adult, suggesting a possible physiological cost of regeneration. To investigate the impact of autotomy and regeneration on vibratory/seismic signals, we used laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV). Analysis of overall signal amplitude across treatments revealed significantly reduced amplitude for males with regenerated limbs, despite these males having receptivity responses statistically similar to control males. Analyses of component elements of vibratory/seismic signals showed three (of four) had significantly reduced amplitude in males regenerating limbs. These results demonstrate a potential fitness impact of autotomy and regeneration on the vibratory/seismic component of male courtship signals.

This paper illustrates how youth education can foster resilience and promote risk awareness through interactive learning. It presents Shake It!, an engaging, hands-on educational module designed for middle school students that integrates risk education with experiential activities. The module begins with an introduction to structural components, construction materials, and seismic behaviour. Students then engage in experiential learning by building and testing models on educational shaking tables. Through this process, they explore key concepts such as building vulnerability, resonance, and earthquake-resistant constructions. The central message is that building response to earthquakes can be understood through hands-on learning, and that effective protection is achievable, making the engagement of younger generations in resilience education a key step toward building safer communities. Shake It! has been successfully tested with several hundred students, both during open days at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology and in classroom settings. The activity consistently receives positive feedback for its ability to actively involve students and effectively raise awareness about earthquake risks in an accessible way that enhances retention.

Seismic communication might promise to revolutionize the theory of seismic waves. However, one of the greatest challenges to its widespread adoption is the difficulty of signal extraction because the seismic waves in the vibration environments, such as seas, streets, city centers and subways, are very complex. Here, we employ segmented correlation technology with Morse code (SCTMC), which extracts the target signal by cutting the collected data into a series of segments and makes these segments cross-correlate with the decoded signal to process the collected data. To test the effectiveness of the technology, a seismic communication system composed of vibroseis sources and geophones was built in an environment full of other vibration signals. Most notably, it improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), extending the relay distance and suppressing other vibration signals by using technology to deal with seismic data generated by the system.

We analysed seismic signals in two spalacid rodents, the giant root-rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus) and Gansu zokor (Eospalax cansus), displaying a different degree of fossoriality. Both produced seismic signals during the peak of activity, probably as territorial advertisement. Comparison with other spalacids did not reveal a relationship between inter-pulse distance and body mass; although this relationship appeared after the giant root-rat, the largest and most fossorial species, was excluded. All hitherto studied spalacids produce seismic signals by head-thumping, which probably evolved as a ritualization of soil tampering, an interesting case of convergent evolution of communication in rodents.

Using the road tarantula Eupalaestrus weijenberghi (Thorell 1894), we tested the importance of the third pair of legs in male courtship behavior. Our results showed that the third pair of legs is essential for males to elicit female sexual receptivity. Males with their second pair of legs immobilized elicited receptive responses from females, but males with the third legs immobilized did not. The potential role of the third pair of legs in the generation and/or transmission of seismic signals via the substrate is discussed.

Seismic communication is known to be utilized in insects, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals, but its use has not yet been documented in large mammals. Elephants produce low-frequency vocalizations, and these vocalizations have seismic components that propagate in the ground, but it has not yet been demonstrated that elephants can detect or interpret these seismic signals. In this study, we played back seismic replicates of elephant alarm vocalizations to herds of wild African elephants in their natural environment and observed significant behavioral changes indicating that they had detected these signals. Seismic communication may provide an important complement to existing communication modes used by elephants. Seismic sensitivity may also provide elephants with an additional modality for sensing important environmental cues such as changes in weather patterns or seismic disturbances.

The communication of emergency information shortly before or after the manifestation of seismic hazards is a crucial part of disaster management. Crisis communication aims to protect, support and guide the public and emergency services throughout the response and recovery phase. In the case of seismic events, a fundamental query refers to how the information to be released to the public immediately after/before the seismic event affects disaster impacts and management. This paper addresses the uncertainty involved in emergency seismic information, identifies the sources, means, content and mode of emergency communication and points to the effects of different models of crisis communication on public perceptions, on emergency responses and, hence, on disaster management. A review of past experiences of seismic crisis communication strategies in earthquake-prone countries, namely Greece and Japan, reveals successes and failures in managing uncertainty, and in building public trust and improving response capacities. The findings include the importance of crisis communication in seismic disaster management, the levels/layers of uncertainty involved in emergency seismic information and how they impact risk perceptions, the public trust/mistrust effect on scientific and management institutions as well as some recommendations for seismic crisis communication strategies to minimize uncertainty and improve emergency responses.

Jumping spiders have long been used as model organisms to study visual communication. However, recent studies documenting the presence of intricate multicomponent seismic songs during courtship displays suggest an important role of seismic communication as well. Given the relatively recent focus on seismic communication, the extent to which seismic songs vary among jumping spider species or even among populations remains poorly understood. Here, we use the extensively studied Habronattus pugillisGriswold 1987 complex to explore putative seismic song diversity among males from isolated populations. H. pugillis populations have been studied extensively because of the tremendous diversification of male visual secondary sexual ornaments observed among adjacent mountain-top populations in southeastern Arizona (“sky islands”). Here, we aim to explore putative parallel patterns of diversification in seismic courtship songs between different sky island populations. Using laser vibrometry, we examined in detail the songs of three mountaintop populations (Atascosa (AT), Santa Rita (SR), and Santa Catalina (SC)) and observed an extraordinary diversity of songs and song types among these three populations. Large differences were seen in both the temporal and spectral properties of male seismic songs. In addition, we observed differences in song complexity between populations with some populations having “simple” songs (1 component) and others having “complex” songs (3 components). We also present preliminary data from four additional populations (Galiuro (GA), Huachuca (HU), Mule (MU), and Patagonia (PA)). Results from this study suggest that the diversification of male visual signals observed among populations of H. pugillis finds a counterpart in male seismic songs

Understanding the seismic risk perceptions of emergency managers and first responders is fundamental to entrusting pre-disaster policy-making and emergency communication practices. Therefore, an online survey in Greece was conducted to assess the impact of knowledge, worry, experience, and other variables on seismic risk perceptions and to reveal emergency managers' and first responders' opinions on the overall emergency mechanism. The results reveal that, while seismic risk perception is high, important knowledge gaps are detected among members of the emergency and crisis management mechanisms. Poor coordination issues, ambiguity in responsibilities, the content of emergency seismic information (beyond uncertainty), and the need to improve prompt warning methods and modernised communication practices are indicated. As seismic risk perception is high, emergency managers' and first responders' knowledge of earthquakes and seismic disasters needs to be improved. Worry is the dominant shaping factor of participants' seismic risk perception. Participants were highly concerned about the coordination credibility of the crisis communication and management mechanism. Inappropriate allocation of responsibilities, insufficient information, and lack of information clarity are highlighted.