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Animal Behavior > Communication > Flashcards

Flashcards in Communication Deck (28)
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1
Q

What is dishonest signaling?

A

Sender may benefit at the expense of the receiver.

2
Q

What is Betesian mimicry?

A

Mimicking warning coloration, but not toxic.

3
Q

Why do Ravens “yell”?

A

They gang up on the territorial residents.

4
Q

What is the Zahavi’s Handicap principal?

A

Honest signaling can evolve when traits are very costly to fake.

5
Q

What is meta-communication?

A

One signal defines the meaning of those signals that follow.

6
Q

What is an example of meta-communication?

A

A dog’s play bow.

7
Q

What are the benefits of visual messages? (2)

A
  1. Easy to locate sender. 2. Travels fast.
8
Q

What are the negatives of visual messages? (3)

A
  1. Difficult for visual signal to travel around an object. 2. Easy for it to be located by the predator. 3. Signal does not last long.
9
Q

What are the benefits of auditory signals? (5)

A
  1. Travels rapidly. 2. Can be effective over long distances. 3. Can go around obstacles. 4. Effective at night. 5. Signals can potentially be rapidly exchanged and modulated.
10
Q

What is the negative of auditory signals?

A

They do not last a long time.

11
Q

What are the benefits of low volatile signals? (3)

A
  1. They last a long time. 2. The animal does not have to be immediately present to convey a signal – may be able to avoid predators. 3. Energetically inexpensive.
12
Q

What are low volatile signals used for? (2)

A
  1. To mark boundaries. 2. Detect females reproductive state.
13
Q

What are the negatives of low volatile signals? (3)

A
  1. Short distance communication. 2. Difficult to modulate signal. 3. Difficult to locate the sender.
14
Q

What are the benefits of high volatile signals? (2)

A
  1. Lasts for a short time. 2. Goes around barriers.
15
Q

What is the negative of high volatile signals?

A

Difficult to modulate the signal.

16
Q

What are high volatile signals used for?

A

Alarm calls.

17
Q

What is intention movement?

A

Behavior patterns that precede or prepare for other behaviors.

18
Q

Do intention movements evolve into display behaviors/

A

Yes.

19
Q

What is pre-adaption?

A

Modifying a previous movement or morphological structure to use in a new context of communication.

20
Q

What is ritualization?

A

Evolutionary process whereby a signal is established or improved so that it becomes a more effective or efficient means of communication.

21
Q

When does the receiver benefit?

A

When they are eavesdropping.

22
Q

What is a contextual signaling display?

A

Function of signal depends on the environment in which it is released.

23
Q

What is an example of a contextual signaling display?

A

Queen bee’s chemical signal.

24
Q

What are graded displays?

A

There are multiple levels to the display, increasing in aggression or affiliation.

25
Q

What is an example of a graded display?

A

Primate aggression displays.

26
Q

Do females prefer more variable MHC genes when breeding?

A

Yes.

27
Q

Do females prefer more variable MHC genes when not breeding?

A

No.

28
Q

What does the Signal/noise ratio refer to?

A

Improving the effectiveness of the signal.