Evolution of design features in the coding of species-specificity

Abstract

Reproductive isolation between species is the major factor responsible for the evolution of species-specificity in communication signals. However, the actual physical or chemical structure of signals may be determined by a number of factors such as the physical laws regulating the transmission of signal energy, locatability, the functional properties of sensory organs, the physical characteristics of the habitats in which communication occurs, and prey-predator relationships. This fact implies that there is some degree of predictability in design features of signaling systems. © 1970 by the American Society of Zoologists.