Ximena Nelson Lectures

Question 1

What is communication?

Answer 1

The reception of and response to signals.

Question 2

What is a cue?

Answer 2

Any feature of the world, animate or inanimate, that can be used by an animal to guide future action..

Question 3

What is a signal?

Answer 3

A behaviour or attribute that causes a change in another animal’s behaviour.

There are visual, auditory, chemical, tactile, vibrational, and electrical signals.

Question 4

How are competition and cooperation related to communication?

Answer 4

Communication signals in competitive contexts are often loud and exaggerated.

Communication signals in cooperative contexts are often quiet and subtle.

Question 5

What are primary defence?

Answer 5

Defence that occurs regardless of whether there is a predator in the vicinity.

Question 6

What is hiding (anachoresis)?

Answer 6

The practice of concealing oneself in crevices or hiding sports to evade predator detection.

Part-time anachoretes hide in crevices during the day and come out at night.

This behaviour can disrupt mating and feeding.

Question 7

What is crypsis?

Answer 7

A form of camouflage involving colouration, body type, or behaviour that makes an animal difficult to perceive
or see.