What is communication?
process by which a sender uses a specially evolved signal to modify the behavior of the receiver
What are the purposes of communication?
-information about identity
-emotional state or social interaction
-deception
-intra- or interspecific
Intraspecific?
between members of the same species
Interspecific?
between predator and prey
How do Bullfrogs use intraspecific communication?
Use call characteristics to recognize neighbors 'Dear Enemy' hypothesis
What are the signals to indicate emotional state or social interactions?
-threats or aggression
-courtship and mating
-parent-offspring communication
What is a risk posed by communication?
eavesdropping - animal receives and exploits the sounds of the same or another species
What is an example of intra-specific eavesdropping?
American bullfrogs wait quietly near other calling males to intercept females moving forward
What is an example of inter-specific eavesdropping?
fringe-lipped bats key in on calling tungara frogs
What is an example of deceptive signaling?
Alligator snapping turtle mouth has an appendage resembling a worm that wiggles
What is honest signaling?
When the species is telling predators that they are noxious and to avoid them. i.e. aposematic coloration
What are the four types of communication signals?
-auditory
-visual
-chemical
-tactile
Auditory signals
-frogs
---advertisement
---alarm
---territoriality
Visual signals
-frogs, turtles, lizards, tuatara
---advertisement
---courtship
---territory guarding
Chemical signals
-salamanders, snakes, caecilians, turtles
---advertisement
---courtship
---territory guarding
---escape predation
Tactile signals
-salamanders & lizards
---courtship
---territory guarding
What are challenges of transmission?
-masking by the environment
-masking by conspecifics (too many signals, can't differentiate)
-noise pollution
-change in timing
What are ways to avoid predators?
-camouflage
-mimicry
-running away
-noxious chemicals
-visual & auditory deterrents
What are two example of species that use camouflage?
-Gray treefrog
-Horned lizard
What two species use structural camouflage?
-Horned lizard
-Thorny devil
What are other substances besides noxious ones?
-musk
-urination & defecation
Where do amphibians release toxic chemicals from?
their skin
Bufotoxin
-steroid toxin with cardiotonic effects on animals
-contained in parotoid gland and skin
-causes blood pressure increase
Pumiliotoxin
-produced by poison dart frog
-one of the most potent animal-produced toxin
-found in skin
-blocks sodium channels and affects muscular contraction
What is a way to acquire poison?
through diet i.e. feed on leaf-litter prey (beetles, ants, millipedes, centipedes)
What does the Rough-skinned newt produce?
tetrodotoxin (TTX)
What species is in an arms race with the Rough-skinned newt?
common garter snake
Unken reflex?
postural shifts that expose brightly colored body parts indicating animal is poisonous or noxious
Aposematic coloration?
warning coloration usually red, orange, yellow. Indicates an animal is unpalatable, dangerous, or lethal
What species have aposematic coloration?
salamanders, frogs, and snakes
What species has aposematic coloration and its mimicry?
Eastern red-backed salamander with the red-spotted newt
What is an example of mullerian mimicry?
the red-spotted newt and red salamander
What is the rattle of a Timber Rattlesnake known as?
audio aposematism
What are two species that mimic the rattle of a Rattlesnake?
-northern black racer
-kingsnakes
Caecilians
Gymnophia
Frogs & Toads
Anurans
Salamanders & Newts
Caudata
Turtles
Testudines
Snakes & Lizards
Squamata
Crocodiles & Alligators
Crocodylia
Tuatara
Rynchocephalia