Within evolutionary biology, signalling theory is a body of theoretical work examining communication between individuals, both within species and across species. The central question is how organisms
By stotting (also called pronking), a springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) signals honestly to predators that it is young, fit, and not worth chasing.
Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius, gives honest signals—loud alarm calls—from its tree perch when it sees a predator.
The yellow-banded poison dart frog, Dendrobates leucomelas, gives an honest signal of its toxicity to warn off predators and reduce the frog's risk of injury.
Male fiddler crab, in the family Ocypodidae, signals with its enlarged fighting claw, but weak regrown claws may be dishonest signals.
Aposematism is the advertising by an animal, whether terrestrial or marine, to potential predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defences that make
Signalling theory
…and the signal may depend on environmental stressors, with honesty increasing in more challenging environments. Another type of honest signal is the aposematic warning signal, generally visual, given by poisonous or dangerous animals such as wasps, poison dart frogs, and pufferfish. Warning signals are honest…
The bright colours of this granular poison frog signal a warning to predators of its toxicity.
The honey badger's reverse countershading makes it conspicuous, honestly signalling its ability to defend itself through its aggressive temperament and its sharp teeth and claws.
Flamboyant cuttlefish colours warn of toxicity
Hycleus lugens, an aposematically coloured beetle