Abstract
Bi-directional communication occurs in a variety of unrelated taxa, suggesting multiple independent evolutionary origins. However, this form of communication is relatively rare. Turn-taking is a prerequisite for successful one-dimensional signal transmission in animal communication. When many signaling individuals occur together, reply latency between first and second signalers is key to establishing communication. Existing literature shows that turn-taking behavior in animals can be classified into three categories based on the relationships between the signaler and the receiver: chorus, duet, or antiphony. Chorus involves males only; duet involves male-female pairs; and antiphony occurs in any animal combination. The functions of the signals can be for mate attraction, individual or group identification, or resource protection. An earlier hypothesis on insect duets suggests that male chorus behavior evolved into duet behavior under the influence of interwoven natural and sexual selection pressure. We discuss putative convergent evolutionary processes in turn-taking behaviors that occur in species other than insects (including humans), and conclude that the processes may be similar across taxa. Moreover, antiphony may have evolved from duetting.
