内容

目次

Part 1 Synopsis of the argument: some background information -communication and information, the comparative method - which speciesto compare and what to conclude?. Part 2 The evolution of communication- historical overview - the design of natural communication systems;language evolution - linguists take a look - uniqueness, Noam Chomsky,Derek Bickerton, Philip Lieberman, Charles Hockett, Steven Pinker;language evolution - biologists take a look - general comments, PeterMarler, W. John Smith; synthesis. Part 3 Conceptual issues in the studyof communication: signals designed for a complex environment - theecology of signal transmission, the ecology of signal detection,adaptation and signal design; problems of similarity and classification- the concept of similarity, similarity and classification, units ofanalysis and their classification in communication; potential fruits ofTinbergen's research design. Part 4 Biological design andcommunication: mating signals - frogs and birds - anuran advertisementcalls, avian song; survival signals - bats - bat echolocation - theproblem; social signals - nonhuman and human primates - nonhumanprimate vocalisations - general, human language, facial expression andperception in primates. Part 5 Genetic design and communication: matingsignals - birds - avian song; survival signals - squirrels and primates- ground squirrel alarms, vervet monkey alarm calls; social signals -primates - nonhuman primate vocalisations, human spoken language, humansign language, facial and gestural expressions in primates. Part 6Design and communication: mating signals - frogs, birds, and primates -anuran advertisement calls,, avian advertisement signals, primatecopulation calls and sexual swellings; survival signals - insects,birds, squirrels, and primates - alarm signals, warning colours,food-associated signals; social signals - birds and primates -dominance signals and cues. (Part contents).