Communication Essential Concepts

Obj 1 Define communication

Communication is any sharing of information in which the actions of one animal alters the behavior of another. Communication either benefits both parties or it can benefit only the sender (in which case it is considered deceit).

Obj 2 Describe the types and characteristics of signals used in communication

Types of signals:  Discrete signals: each signal has one meaning. For example, when a zebra’s ears are up, it is communicating friendliness; when its ears are down, it is communicating a threat.

 Continuous signals: each signal can be somewhere on a continuum to allow for variation and magnitude. Fore example, a zebra’s mouth can open to different degrees (in addition to ear signals) to signal levels of friendliness or threat.

Characteristics of signals:  Signals are context specific, meaning a given signal may have different meanings depending on the situation. For example a lion’s roar is threatening to outsiders but serves to keep “insiders,” member of the pride, together.

 Signals vary in the distance and duration for which they are effective. For example, odors and sounds can be effective from far away, while visual signals are only effective short distances, especially in an environment with obstructions, like in a forest.

Obj 3 Describe the adaptiveness of communication (that is, how communication assists animals’ survival and reproduction)

 Group spacing. Communication assist animals that live in groups to stay in contact with one another. For example, monkeys use calls to keep together in a thick jungle. On the other hand, communication also assists animals in keeping apart, as the songs of territorial birds do.

 Recognition. Communication assists animals in recognizing members of their own species or own group. For example, each species of songbird has its own song.

 Reproduction. Many animals use signals to recognize members of the opposite sex and to assist in selecting the best mates. Insects (and many other animals) recognize pheromones (chemicals emitted into the air). Frogs and crickets use mating calls. Each species of lightning bug has its own pattern of light that it displays.

 Social status. Communicative signals often help individuals establish dominance without having to fight. This signals take the forms of non-contact displays and ritualized sparring and dancing.

 Alarm. Many animals use signals to alert others of danger. White-tail deer raise their flashy tail as they run from a predator. Mice excrete substances in their urine if stressed. Birds use specific clucking noises to insure their young stay quiet and still when a predator is near.  Hunting. Communication between members of a hunting group increases success. Wolves are able to hunt larger prey than the could alone. Ants leave pheromone trails that lead to food.

 Care. Communication between parents and their offspring aids survival. Many animals recognize the distress call of their young.

 Soliciting play. Play among animals helps them develop motor skills and behavior patterns for later life. A dog bows to signal it is interested in playing.

Obj 4 Distinguish among type of communication.

 Odor. Odor as a signal is effective because it travels well in the dark and around objects, but it is slow to act and fades. Some examples of odor as a communication signal include insect pheromones and sex attractants related to estrus is some mammals.

 Sound. Sound signals travel quickly. Examples are distress calls and the echolocation used by bats.

 Vibrations. Vibrations can be used for long distance coordination and for finding mates. A spider suitor vibrates its intended’s web to let her know his intentions.

 Touch. Touch is a very short range type of communication. Insects use antennae to sense their environment. Primate grooming aids cohesion within a group.

 Electric fields. Animals that use electric fields communicate their location which assist in group coordination. This can be good in murky water. Fish use electric fields, especially sharks and, famously, electric eels.

 Vision. Visual signals indicate precise locations and time. Primates, like us, rely heavily of visual signals. Fireflies use light to communicate and many fish and invertebrates can change color as signals to others.

Obj 5 Provide examples of complex communication in animals

 Complex communication, which can be thought of as “true language,” incorporates the use of symbols for abstract ideas and syntax.

 Humans may be the masters of complex communication, as exemplified by your ability to make sense and meaning out of the black marks on this page, or understanding the meanings of thousands of words along with nuances about how they are put together in sentences.

 Bees communicate to other bees where food is by intricate dances.

 Chimpanzees, although they lack the motor ability to produce human sounds, can use sign language and plastic pieces as word symbols and have mastered several hundred words.

 Parrots can talk, and not just mimic. They can identify shapes, colors, concepts such as same vs. different, and words to represent abstract concepts.

 Many other examples are available. In fact, dolphin communication may be as complex as human.