Ch6. Multimodal Signals and Communication

Question 1

Strategic benefits of multimodal signaling

Answer 1

Multiple messages → more information. Multimodal messages are more difficult to cheat and more reliable in encoding quality. There is more costs associated with multiple modes.

Question 2

Efficacy benefits of multimodal signaling

Answer 2

Redundancy → where two or more components allow the receiver to extract the same information. Greater discrimination, and faster learning. Increases the likelihood that at least one signal component will reach and impact the receiver.

Question 3

Begging in avian chicks

Answer 3

baby birds open their mouths to induce feeding. They also call loudly when hungry. Parents adjust feeding rates based on how big their mouth opening is + vocal display.

Question 4

Plant/ Pollinator Interactions

Answer 4

tested whether bees learn better with multimodal signals. Visual flower shape vs odor. Certain signals were rewarding. Bees learned quicker when rewarding flowers differed from non-rewarding flowers in both modalities.

Question 5

Multimodal or multiple receivers

Answer 5

a multimodal signal is a signal comprising components that are received by more than one sensory channel. Multiple components are produced in different ways where each component has a different influence on the receiver. Different modes of a multimodal signal could be aimed at different receivers and just occur at the same time.