WHY WE NEED ESS SIGNALING THEORY

Evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) models of biological signalling a re important because the intimate coevolution of signalling and receiv ing strategies is complicated. Tentative results from a numerical stud y of error-prone signalling show the value of formal modelling. Error in perception can create discreteness in the distribution of signals p roduced, and so observed discreteness in nature may call for no more c omplicated explanation. Further developments in the theory of signalli ng may include a link with theories of aggression such as the sequenti al assessment game. The technical device of a 'scratch space' may allo w a natural development of 'two-way' information games in which each c ontestant plays the roles of signaller and receiver simultaneously. Th is device may also incidentally derive mental states from purely strat egic considerations.