Communication

Question 1

Describe deceptive communication, and give some examples

Answer 1

Misleading signals
E.g Hornet clearwing moth (mimics hornet to gain survival advantage)
E.g Cuckoo song mimics host

Question 2

Describe sexual deception and give some examples

Answer 2

When organisms use sexual traits to decieve other organisms
E.g Bluegill sunfish → satellite male mimics a female to enter the dom males territory and then mates with females
E.g Bolus spider produces pheromones that attract male moths

Question 3

Why haven’t organisms evolved not to respond to deceptive signals?

Answer 3

Because on average, following this signal will increase fitness of these individuals
→ Mimicking is relatively rare, so 95% of time the signal is true

Question 4

What are 4 ways selection favours honest communication?

Answer 4

• Common interest (e.g raven yelling)
• Handicap/cost (e.g chicks begging)
• Index of quality
• Body size/weight

Question 5

Describe study into ravens yelling

Answer 5

• Observed lots of ravens appearing at carcasses and yelling
• Odd because ravens are highly territorial so not seen in large groups

Question 6

Describe chick begging

Answer 6

• Chicks beg for food, despite it attracting predators
• As food increases, so does chick survival (so worth the risk)
• Chicks begging increases in intensity with hunger = balanced with the risk of predation (hungrier chicks have more to gain)

Question 7

Give some ways animals can cheat body size signals

Answer 7

→ Possible up to a point, examples:
- Inflating abdomen
- Puffing out chest
- Making hair stand on end
- Elongating larynx to make deeper call