BI310 Animal Behaviour & Comparative Physiology Lecture – Stimuli and Communication

Practice flashcards derived from lecture notes covering animal behavior, stimuli, and communication.

What are the key questions involved in animal communication?

What is communicated, how is it communicated, and is signaling always honest?

What type of information is communicated regarding the environment?

Information such as alarm calls signaling the presence of predators.

How do vervet monkeys communicate different types of danger?

They use specific calls like 'leopard' or 'eagle' to indicate danger.

What is the purpose of the honey bee's waggle dance?

It conveys information about the direction and distance of food.

What factors reflect the state of a performer in signaling?

The signal reflects the performer’s state and has an effect on the recipient.

What is a sign stimulus?

A simple element that elicits a behavioral response, such as the red breast of a robin.

What are some examples of sign stimuli in different species?

Red breast of robin, red belly of male stickleback, and gaping mouth of nestlings.

What do supernormal stimuli do?

They can evoke a stronger response than normal stimuli, such as large model eggs stimulating incubation.

What sensory modality is used for communication depends on?

The development of sense organs, the distance of communication, the nature of the message, and the nature of the territory.

What did Darwin recognize about facial expressions in humans?

Certain facial expressions are universal among humans and represent evolved biological behaviors.

What is ritualization in the context of communication?

The evolutionary process by which behavior patterns become modified to serve a communication function.

What are some characteristics of ritualized signals or displays?

They are stereotyped and exaggerated, incorporated into displays in courtship, threat, and appeasement.

What is appeasement in animal behavior?

Actions that inhibit attack by another animal.

What type of communication may be dishonest between species?

Inter-specific communication where harmless animals mimic dangerous ones, like Batesian mimicry.

What is the role of chemical signals in communication?

Chemical signals, like sex pheromones, are carried by wind to attract mates.

What is the outcome of roaring contests between rival red deer?

Roaring contests may occur instead of fighting and correlate with fighting prowess.