Methods Of Communication

Question 1

Difference between intraspecific and interspecific communication?

Answer 1

Intraspecific
Communication between animals of the same species

Interspecific
Communication between animals of different species

Question 2

Why might interspecific communication take place?

Answer 2

Predators communicating with prey
Prey communicating with predators
Human communicating with animals e.g. domestication

Question 3

Prey to predator Communication

Answer 3

Prey is more likely to survive if they can warn off predators
E.g. hover flies dont sting but they look very similar to wasps due to their bright colours
Bright coloured animals are often venomous or poisonous
This is called mimicry

Question 4

Predator to prey Communication

Answer 4

~Predators often communicate with their prey in order to make them easier to catch
~Angler fish live in very deep sea, where there is no light.. they have a long, light emitting filament that extends from their head
~they wiggle it about and it resembles a small fish that other fish prey on, the species are drawn towards the light and are then eaten.
~This is a form of deception, where incorrect information is sent as a signal from one animal to another

Question 5

Case study: spider tailed horned viper

Answer 5

Live in mountainous regions of Western Iran
Their tail has adapted a bulbous tip with spines that resemble a spider
They camouflage against the rocks and move their tail to mimic across the rock face to attract birds

Question 6

Types of mimicry 
Defensive 
Mullerian 
Batesian
Aggressive 
Camouflage

Answer 6

~Defensive mimicry
Performed by animals with lots of predators. Animals trick these predators into thinking they are dangerous or harmful

~mullerian mimicry
Two or more harmful/undesirable species will develop similar traits. This will enable predators to learn to avoid them more quickly

~batesian mimicry
A type of defensive mimicry, where animals mimic the traits which signify that other animals are dangerous

~aggressive mimicry
Where predators or harmful species display traits of a less harmful species in order to go un-noticed by prey

~camouflage
Blending in with surroundings in order to hide