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Published on: October 27, 2023
Extended phenotypes as signals
Franziska C Schaedelin1, Michael Taborsky
1Konrad Lorenz Institute for Ethology, Austrian Academy of Science, 1160 Vienna, Austria. F.Schaedelin@klivv.oeaw.ac.at
Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
|April 23, 2009
Summary
Animal constructions, or extended phenotypes, offer unique communication channels distinct from bodily signals. Their evolution often begins with direct fitness benefits, later emphasizing their crucial role in animal signaling.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior
- Evolutionary biology
- Bioacoustics
Background:
- Animal signals convey vital information, with extended phenotypes offering unique communication avenues.
- Extended phenotypes, such as animal constructions, are distinct from bodily ornaments or behavioral displays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the benefits of extended phenotypes as signals compared to traditional animal signals.
- To classify information transfer levels via extended phenotype signals.
- To examine the evolutionary pathways of signaling extended phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Comparative evaluation of evolutionary pathways.
- Classification of information transfer levels in extended phenotypes.
- Analysis of secreted signals versus constructed signals.
Main Results:
- Extended phenotypes offer unique communication possibilities due to their independence from the body and persistence.
- Signals from construction involve higher behavioral complexity than secreted signals.
- Constructions often initially provide direct fitness benefits, with signaling functions becoming more prominent over evolutionary time.
Conclusions:
- Extended phenotypes represent a diverse and variable source of animal signals.
- Their unique properties offer significant potential for future research in animal communication.
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