Animal Behavior: Communication

Animal social behavior ranges from solitary to occasional cooperation to societies with organized cooperation extending over generations; usually requires communication.

Communication is Varied

• a. Communication is any action by a sender that influences behavior of a receiver.
• b. When sender and receiver are same species, signals benefit both.
• c. Signals received by different species can cue defensive behavior, etc.

Chemical Communication

• a. Works both night and day.
• b. Pheromones are chemical signals passed between members of same species.
• c. Female moths secrete unique pheromone to attract males that are downwind.
• d. Cheetahs and other cats mark territory by depositing urine, feces, and anal gland secretions at boundaries.

Auditory Communication

• a. Faster than chemical communication.
• b. Can be sent and received in dark.
• c. Can be modified by loudness, pattern, duration, and repetition.
• d. Birds have various calls for courting, distress, marking territory.
• e. Humpback whales have six basic songs.
• f. Language is ultimate auditory communication.
  • i. Although chimpanzees can be taught to use artificial language, they never progress beyond level of a two-year-old child.
  • ii. Chimpanzees appear to mimic their teachers and not understand cognitive use of a language.

Visual Communication

• a. Mostly used by species active during daytime.
• b. Postures may prevent fighting that might result in reduced fitness.
• c. Male baboon displays establish dominance and keeps peace.
• d. Male bird plumage and courtship dances attract mates.

Tactile Communication

• a. Occurs when one animal touches another.
• b. Example: baby gulls peck at parent's beak for feeding.
• c. Grooming helps cement social bonds within a group of primates.
• d. Waggle dance in bees gives tactile and auditory information for distance and direction to a food source. (Fig. 31.9)

Lecture Outline Chapter 31 McGraw Hill