Animal Communication – BIOL 4313-5313 Final Exam – Comprehensive Study
Guide and Exam Review
Signal Evolution
Phylogenic analyses/ Comparative Method: - ANS ✔✔Estimate when characteristics evolved
using molecular data to look at ancestral species
Signal Evolution
Neutral network models: - ANS ✔✔Simple computer models showing how latent receiver
biases can drive signal evolution
Signal Evolution
What are some hypothesis testing for signal evolution? - ANS ✔✔1. Phylogenic analyses
2. Comparative method
3. Neutral network models
Signal evolution
Sender-First Models: - ANS ✔✔a cue providing useful information becomes modified into a
signal. If senders benefit from receiver response, there will be ritualization (makes signal more
conspicuous, stereotyped, and detectable) (i.e. ritualized preening in ducks, once used for
cleaning and now used for courtship)
Signal Evolution
Reciever-First Models: - ANS ✔✔biases in receiver sensory system facilite responses to stimuli
that benefit potential senders
Signal Evolution
, Example of Sender-First models - ANS ✔✔Courtship displays in cormorants were derived from
flight movements
Signal Evolution
Example of Receiver-First models - ANS ✔✔Sensory systems evolved for something besides
communication
Ex. Prey detection, navigation, predator avoidance
Signal Evolution
Adaptive Bias: - ANS ✔✔Responses favored by selection related to environment
(Ex. Guppies eat orange food; Female guppies with stronger orange food preference prefer
males with more orange coloration)
Signal Evolution
Latent Bias: - ANS ✔✔responses favored by incidental consequences of the way sensory
systems function
(traits seem to have no adaptive value)
Information & Decision Making
Improving Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Signallers can: - ANS ✔✔1. Increase amplitude
2. Time signals to avoid noise
3. Signal with frequencies different from noise
Information & Decision Making
Improving Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Recievers can: - ANS ✔✔1. Improve tuning
2. Listen when noise levels are low "dip listening"
Guide and Exam Review
Signal Evolution
Phylogenic analyses/ Comparative Method: - ANS ✔✔Estimate when characteristics evolved
using molecular data to look at ancestral species
Signal Evolution
Neutral network models: - ANS ✔✔Simple computer models showing how latent receiver
biases can drive signal evolution
Signal Evolution
What are some hypothesis testing for signal evolution? - ANS ✔✔1. Phylogenic analyses
2. Comparative method
3. Neutral network models
Signal evolution
Sender-First Models: - ANS ✔✔a cue providing useful information becomes modified into a
signal. If senders benefit from receiver response, there will be ritualization (makes signal more
conspicuous, stereotyped, and detectable) (i.e. ritualized preening in ducks, once used for
cleaning and now used for courtship)
Signal Evolution
Reciever-First Models: - ANS ✔✔biases in receiver sensory system facilite responses to stimuli
that benefit potential senders
Signal Evolution
, Example of Sender-First models - ANS ✔✔Courtship displays in cormorants were derived from
flight movements
Signal Evolution
Example of Receiver-First models - ANS ✔✔Sensory systems evolved for something besides
communication
Ex. Prey detection, navigation, predator avoidance
Signal Evolution
Adaptive Bias: - ANS ✔✔Responses favored by selection related to environment
(Ex. Guppies eat orange food; Female guppies with stronger orange food preference prefer
males with more orange coloration)
Signal Evolution
Latent Bias: - ANS ✔✔responses favored by incidental consequences of the way sensory
systems function
(traits seem to have no adaptive value)
Information & Decision Making
Improving Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Signallers can: - ANS ✔✔1. Increase amplitude
2. Time signals to avoid noise
3. Signal with frequencies different from noise
Information & Decision Making
Improving Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Recievers can: - ANS ✔✔1. Improve tuning
2. Listen when noise levels are low "dip listening"
