Do Now What type of information is conveyed when animals communicate?

Functions of Communication Identification Sexual attraction/courtship Synchronization of behavior Alarm/distress calls Calming Threat and other agonistic facts Contact Recruit (hunting)

Types of communication Chemical (olfactory) Visual Tactile Auditory

Chemical communication Pheromone – a chemical released which causes a predictable reaction of another member of the species. Urine feces Attract mates Identification territoriality

Visual Communication Changes in facial expressions, body shapes, color, or movement Primates – Threatening gestures – Stares – Poses Fireflies cobras

Bees Round dance – Close food source – Alternate left and right cirlces – Richer the food source, the longer and more vigourous the dance Waggle dance – Farther away food source – 2 loops with a straight run in the middle – The direction of the straight run determines the direction of the food source

Tactile Communication Occurs when one animal touches another Gull chicks Male leopard primates

Auditory Communication Faster Effective at night and day Can be modified Crickets Bird songs Whale songs

Humpback Whales Males produce organized songs with distinct themes and melodies Can last up to 20 mins Can be heard more than 20 mi away May repeat same song dozens of times over several hours Originally believed to be mating call More recently believe issuing threats Or for tracking nearby whales

Infrasound <20 Hz Travels greater distances Requires large amount of energy to produce Larger animals – Elephants: rumbles to find males when fertile

Ultrasound >20,000 Hz High pitched Require less energy Bats – Directional location

Homework Go to avior/SENSORY.HTM#anchor and read about Unintended receivers and dishonest signaling – Why could this be evolutionarily adaptive? Give an example of “dishonest signaling” in humans. avior/SENSORY.HTM#anchor797080