What animal observations support the coalition signaling hypothesis?

• A. A duet of already mated birds serves as territorial defence
• B. Lone coyotes howl more frequently
• C. Monkeys grooming each other
• D. Fish schooling for safety

Answer: (A)

Coalition signaling is about two or more individuals coordinating a display to broadcast to rivals that they control and can defend a resource or territory. A duet by two birds that are already mated shows a stable, cooperative pair actively signaling their territorial ownership. This makes potential intruders aware that the defending coalition is strong and united, which reduces the likelihood of challenges. The other behaviors don’t demonstrate a coordinated signal from a defending coalition: a lone coyote’s howl is an individual signal, not a joint defense message; grooming among monkeys is social bonding rather than signaling territorial defense to outsiders; schooling in fish helps with safety but is not a deliberate public defense signal from a coalition to deter rivals.