Summary
Animals pass information using sound, scent, visual displays and touch.
In depth
Signals can be chemical, visual, auditory, tactile or electrical. Honest signalling is stable if costs make faking unprofitable. Receivers may evolve to detect signals.
Signals must be detectable, unambiguous and costly enough to be honest. Channel choice reflects habitat: sound travels in forests, scent persists but is slow, visual signals need light. Signals can be graded or discrete.
Key idea: communication evolves because it benefits both sender and receiver on average.
Frequently asked questions
What is Communication?
Animals pass information using sound, scent, visual displays and touch.
Which area of biology covers Communication, and how advanced is it?
Communication is one of the 53 topics in Animal Behaviour. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Territoriality, Behavioural Ecology of Signalling, Courtship.
Can you give an example of Communication?
Vervet monkeys have distinct alarm calls for leopards, eagles and snakes.
What should I learn before Communication?
Communication is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Animal Behaviour that pair well with it include Animal Behaviour, Innate Behaviour, Learned Behaviour.
What topics are related to Communication?
The closest topics to Communication are Territoriality, Behavioural Ecology of Signalling, Courtship, Pheromones. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Communication?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Communication. To practise the whole of Animal Behaviour, use the Animal Behaviour quiz.
How is Communication different from Territoriality?
Communication: Animals pass information using sound, scent, visual displays and touch. Territoriality: Defending an area for feeding, mating or nesting. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Communication step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Territoriality and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Animal Behaviour quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.