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Journal article
The ecology and evolution of cues and signals in animal interspecies cooperation
Animal behaviour, Vol.237, 123611
2026
Abstract
Mutualistic interactions have played a central role in generating biodiversity and are often facilitated by an exchange of information between participating parties. Cues and signals are likely to be particularly crucial in animal interspecies cooperation, a specific form of mutualism that depends on real-time, interactive behavioural coordination to secure mutual benefit. Yet, despite the taxonomic breadth and ecological significance of these interactions, our understanding of the roles of cues and signals in animal interspecies cooperation remains relatively underexplored compared to their well-documented roles in other mutualisms, intraspecies cooperation and interactions involving collective behaviour. Here, we examine the ecology and evolution of cues and signals in animal interspecies cooperation. Drawing on diverse natural history examples, we first assess the ecological functions, benefits and costs of cues and signals, and discuss how the information they convey about partner identity, motivation and reliability informs decisions about whether, when and how to cooperate with heterospecifics. Second, we outline the evolutionary origins, variation and heritability of cues and signals, and discuss the potential for coevolution between signallers and perceivers. Third, we draw on relevant insights from broader mutualisms and cooperation within species to highlight key similarities and differences in the use of cues and signals across interaction types. Overall, our review clarifies how information underpins animal interspecies cooperation, highlights key gaps in the scientific literature, and identifies promising avenues for future research on its ecological and evolutionary significance.
Details
- Title
- The ecology and evolution of cues and signals in animal interspecies cooperation
- Authors/Creators
- K. Dunkley - University of CambridgeM. Cantor - Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, U.S.AA.I. Afan - University of JosD.S. Ahlibi - Ghana Wildlife SocietyS.J. Allen - The University of Western AustraliaJ. Amphaeris - Bangor UniversityS. Atkins - Tshwane University of TechnologyM.C. Attwood - University of Cape TownK. Bankhead - Oregon Department of Fish and WildlifeC.J. Blair - University of Cape TownJ.L. Bronstein - University of ArizonaY.R.R. Camargo - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulS. Carvalho - Gorongosa National ParkL.W. Channer - University of ExeterR.R.T. Cuthill - University of Cape TownJ. Das - University of ChittagongF.G. Daura-Jorge - Universidade Federal de Santa CatarinaA.K. Deb - Government of CanadaT. Dixit - University of CambridgeE. Dounias - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueM. Dyble - Department of ArchaeologyD.R. Farine - Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandE. Freymann - Museum of the History of ScienceP. He - University of CambridgeL.S. Hoffmann - Universidade Federal do Espírito SantoH.A. Isack - Kivulini Trust, Kitengela, KenyaE.B. Ilha - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulW.-B.W. Kamboe - University of Cape TownA.O. Kilawi - University of Cape TownA. Kingston - Guildford CollegeE.A. Laltaika - University of Cape TownD.J. Lloyd-Jones - University of Cape TownJ. Lund - University of Cape TownA.M.S. Machado - Universidade Federal de Santa CatarinaK. McGarvey - Oregon Department of Fish and WildlifeG.M. M'manga - Mzuzu UniversityR. Mphetlhe - University of Cape TownI.B. Moreno - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulC.A. Ngcamphalala - University of Cape TownS.O. Nhlabatsi - University of PretoriaC.J. Nwaogu - University of Cape TownR. Pierotti - University of KansasI.M. Reeves - Flinders UniversityE.J.H. Robinson - University of YorkI. Samad - Indian Institute of Science BangaloreM. Sanda - University of NgaoundéréN.B. Serpa - Health & Medical Publishing GroupP.C. Simões-Lopes - Universidade Federal de Santa CatarinaC.N. Spottiswoode - University of Cape TownT. Soma - Rikkyo UniversityH. Sridhar - Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition ResearchT. Tun - Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research UnitN.T. Uomini - Leipzig UniversityJ.V.S. Valle-Pereira - Oregon Department of Fish and WildlifeL. van Holstein - Emory UniversityB.M. Wood - University of California, Los AngelesD.L. Cram - University of East AngliaJ.E.M. van der Wal - University of Cape Town
- Publication Details
- Animal behaviour, Vol.237, 123611
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
- Identifiers
- 991005904177107891
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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