Intra-species recognition
Encyclopedia
Intra-species recognition is recognition by a member of a species
of a conspecific (another member of the same species). In many species, such recognition is necessary for procreation.
Different species may employ different methods, but all of them are based on one or more sense
s (after all, this is how the organism gather information about the environment). The recognition may happen by chemical
signature (smell
), by having a distinctive shape (sight
), by emitting certain sounds (hearing
), or even by behaviour patterns. Often a combination of these is used.
Among human beings, the sense of sight is usually in charge of recognizing other members of the same species, with maybe the subconscious help of smell. In particular, the human brain
has a disproportionate amount of processing power dedicated to finely analyze the features of a human face. This is why we are able to distinguish basically all six billions of human beings from each other (barring look-alikes
), and a human being from a similar species like some anthropomorphic ape
, with only a quick glance.
Intra-species recognition systems are often subtle. For example, ornithologists have great difficulty in distinguishing the chiffchaff
from the willow warbler
by eye, and there is no evidence that the birds themselves can do so other than by the different song
s of the male. Sometimes, too, intra-species recognition is fallible: in many species of frog
, the males are not uncommonly seen copulating with females of the wrong species or even with inanimate objects.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of a conspecific (another member of the same species). In many species, such recognition is necessary for procreation.
Different species may employ different methods, but all of them are based on one or more sense
Sense
Senses are physiological capacities of organisms that provide inputs for perception. The senses and their operation, classification, and theory are overlapping topics studied by a variety of fields, most notably neuroscience, cognitive psychology , and philosophy of perception...
s (after all, this is how the organism gather information about the environment). The recognition may happen by chemical
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
signature (smell
Olfaction
Olfaction is the sense of smell. This sense is mediated by specialized sensory cells of the nasal cavity of vertebrates, and, by analogy, sensory cells of the antennae of invertebrates...
), by having a distinctive shape (sight
Visual perception
Visual perception is the ability to interpret information and surroundings from the effects of visible light reaching the eye. The resulting perception is also known as eyesight, sight, or vision...
), by emitting certain sounds (hearing
Hearing (sense)
Hearing is the ability to perceive sound by detecting vibrations through an organ such as the ear. It is one of the traditional five senses...
), or even by behaviour patterns. Often a combination of these is used.
Among human beings, the sense of sight is usually in charge of recognizing other members of the same species, with maybe the subconscious help of smell. In particular, the human brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
has a disproportionate amount of processing power dedicated to finely analyze the features of a human face. This is why we are able to distinguish basically all six billions of human beings from each other (barring look-alikes
Look-alike
A look-alike is a person who closely resembles another person. In popular Western culture, a look-alike is a person who bears a close physical resemblance to a celebrity, politician or member of royalty. Many look-alikes earn a living by making guest appearances at public events or performing on...
), and a human being from a similar species like some anthropomorphic ape
Ape
Apes are Old World anthropoid mammals, more specifically a clade of tailless catarrhine primates, belonging to the biological superfamily Hominoidea. The apes are native to Africa and South-east Asia, although in relatively recent times humans have spread all over the world...
, with only a quick glance.
Intra-species recognition systems are often subtle. For example, ornithologists have great difficulty in distinguishing the chiffchaff
Chiffchaff
The Common Chiffchaff, or simply the Chiffchaff, is a common and widespread leaf-warbler which breeds in open woodlands throughout northern and temperate Europe and Asia....
from the willow warbler
Willow Warbler
The Willow Warbler is a very common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and Asia, from Ireland east to the Anadyr River basin in eastern Siberia...
by eye, and there is no evidence that the birds themselves can do so other than by the different song
Birdsong
Birdsong may refer to:* Bird vocalization, the sounds of birds* Birdsong , a 1993 novel by Sebastian Faulks* Birdsong, Arkansas, USA* Birdsong , a channel on the UK Digital One digital radio multiplex...
s of the male. Sometimes, too, intra-species recognition is fallible: in many species of frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
, the males are not uncommonly seen copulating with females of the wrong species or even with inanimate objects.
See also
- Assortative matingAssortative matingAssortative mating , and the related concept Disassortative mating, is the phenomenon where a sexually reproducing organism chooses to mate with individuals that are similar or dissimilar to itself in some specific manner...
- Sexual selectionSexual selectionSexual selection, a concept introduced by Charles Darwin in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, is a significant element of his theory of natural selection...
- ConspecificityConspecificityConspecificity is a concept in biology. Two or more individual organisms, populations, or taxa are conspecific if they belong to the same species....