Ryan C. Taylor
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Salisbury University
Papers
11
Total Citations
595
H-Index
10
About
Ryan C. Taylor is a leading behavioral ecologist whose research illuminates the intricate world of animal communication, particularly how animals integrate multiple sensory signals—sound, sight, and motion—to make critical decisions. His pioneering work on multimodal signaling in frogs and their predators has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of mate choice and predator-prey dynamics. Taylor is renowned for his innovative use of robotic frogs, a technique he championed to create realistic, controllable stimuli that disentangle the roles of acoustic and visual signal components. His most cited paper, "Faux frogs" (2008, 151 citations), established robotics as a vital tool in animal behavior. His research reveals that female frogs weigh visual cues (like an inflating vocal sac) alongside calls, and that bats hunting in noisy environments flexibly shift their reliance between prey cues. With over 500 total citations, Taylor’s work demonstrates that signal complexity is not just for show—it is a critical adaptation for navigating noisy, dynamic environments. His findings have profound implications for understanding sexual selection and the impacts of anthropogenic noise on wildlife.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Faux frogs: multimodal signalling and the value of robotics in animal behaviour151 citations · 2008
- 2Bats perceptually weight prey cues across sensory systems when hunting in noise117 citations · 2016
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- 4Robots in the service of animal behavior49 citations · 2012
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