Research areas
I am interested in the evolution of complexity in communication systems and how this complexity can affect social interaction. This work takes two different approaches. On the one hand I investigate environmental constraints that influence the design of vocal communication systems, and on the other I study the underlying cognitive skills required to overcome or circumvent such constraints. Much of this work concentrates on vocal communication in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). This species combines the ability of vocal learning with complex cognitive skills that exceed those of most other animals. Furthermore, dolphins rely almost exclusively on acoustic communication which avoids the difficulties connected with studying multi-modal communication systems.
PhD supervision
- RosieÌýDay
- CharlieÌýHargrave
- SixueÌýLi
Selected publications
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Janik, V. M., Sayigh, L. & Wells, R., 23 May 2006, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 103, 21, p. 8293-8297 5 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Laland, K. N. & Janik, V. M., Oct 2006, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 21, 10, p. 542-547 6 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Sayigh, L., Esch, H., Wells, R. & Janik, V. M., Dec 2007, In: Animal Behaviour. 74, 6, p. 1631-1642 12 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Janik, V. M., 10 Feb 2009, In: Current Biology. 19, 3, p. R109-R111
Research output: Contribution to journal › Short survey › peer-review
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Open access
Gotz, T. & Janik, V., 2011, In: BioMed Central Neuroscience. 12, 12 p., 30.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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