The evolution and function of animal communication

Animals that use social signals to communicate with one another often differ in the way those social signals appear among different species. When the function of social signals is the same among those species, the question remains as to why different species should evolve signals with different designs.

A key hypothesis behind much of the communicative diversity we see in the natural world is species recognition: different species evolve species-typical signal designs to ensure communication is directed at the proper individual – conspecifics – otherwise animals waste time and energy attempting to communicate with individuals from the wrong species.

This is just one avenue of potential research, while others might examine how the environment shapes the type and form of signals animals use in communication, or what role it plays in attracting mates or deterring rivals. A project might focus on the visual displays of lizards, the ornamentation of fish, or the acoustic signals of kangaroos.

How to Apply

Express your interest in this project by emailing Associate Professor Terry Ord. Include a copy of your CV and your academic transcript(s).