Concept explainers
To explain: Why mammals mainly have auditory and olfactory communications, whereas the main modes of communication in birds are visual and auditory.
Introduction: Animal communication involves the transfer of signals among animals or group of animals. Major modes of signal transfer and receiving are based on seeing (visual communication), hearing (vocal or auditory communication), and/or smelling (olfactory communication).
Explanation of Solution
The mode of communication used by an animal depends on the way of living and their time of activity during the day. Nocturnal animals are mostly active during the night time, whereas diurnal animals are active mostly in the daylight.
A majority of mammals are nocturnal. They have a low sense of sight, but increased sense of olfaction and hearing. Therefore, they rely mostly on the auditory and olfactory communications rather than visual communications. Vocal signs and hearing form the auditory communication, which is more useful at night instead of vision based communication. Olfactory communication is based on chemical signals such as pheromones.
Birds are generally diurnal beings and are active at daytime. Therefore, they primarily use visual (such as bright plumage) and auditory communications (such as bird calls and songs).
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Chapter 51 Solutions
Biology - Study Guide
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