Question 1:
The text has some good questions. Bacteria often release chemicals that affect other bacteria in their vicinity. Would you consider this communication? If so, why? If not, would you consider thechemical trails that ants use to direct one another to a food source communication? How doesthatdifferfrom the bacteriacase, if atall?
Question 2:
A speculation.
Imagine you are studying a group of amphibian species that vary in their habitats-some living in dense, murky water, and others living in very clear ponds. What kind of communication problems exist in each environment? What sorts of differences in communication systems would you expect to see across suchspecies?
Question 3:
More speculation.During your observations of a new primate species, individuals often seenthrow heavy rocks against treesand causing a large "booming" sound.Would you speculate that individuals are communicating to one another using this technique? Ifnot, why not? If so, how might you go about testing this hypothesis?
Question 4:
How honest are birdsongs? Phrase your answer from a proximate perspective, rather than ultimate.
Question 5:
Don't like any of these questions? Ask one of your own, and then answer it. Note that your question should be substantive, just like your answer, and the question should be in a format that invites further discussion. Avoid questions like "Why doesn't everyone think that kittens cute?" or "Why does the Discovery channel keep putting up fake documentaries about mermaids and extinct sharks?"