The Evolution of Mutualistic Interspecific Communication: Assessment and Management Across Species

This article investigates the evolution of interspecific communication within a mutualistic setting, using the assessment-management approach to communication as a theoretical framework. The author introduces sequential stages in the evolution of mutualistic interspecific communication from unilateral assessment, to bilateral assessment, to asymmetric communication, and finally to highly complex, coevolved bilateral assessment and management and presents animal examples of each evolutionary stage. From these examples, the author forms predictions regarding when and how interspecific communication is most likely to develop, along with suggestions for further research.