Biology 338: Lecture 10Spring 1997

Communication II

  1. Case study: Yelling ravens
    1. Natural history info
    2. Observation: lots of yelling at a carcass
    3. Costs of yelling
    4. Benefits of yelling

  2. Case study: Cricket songs
    1. Natural history info
    2. Observation
    3. Costs of calling songs
    4. Alternative strategies to calling

  3. Evolution of animal signals
    1. Signals are honest - convey accurate information
      1. High cost of producting signal precludes deceivers
      2. Examples
    2. Signals are not so honest
      1. Low cost of producing signal allows for deceivers
      2. Manipulation vs. "mind-reading"
      3. Potential outcomes
        1. Mutual exploitation leads to extravagant signals
        2. Mutual cooperation leads to conspiratory whispers
      4. Examples
    3. Resolution