Genetic mechanisms and selective forces involved in the evolution of mating systems have not received critical analysis. Crude mating enhancement factors can be calculated for a number of species but only for a single breeding season. The penalty on survivorship and hence life-long mating enhancement has not been documented. However, it is possible enumerate several environmental conditions that would favor the evolution of each mating strategy. The basis of social organization is communication , a process by which the behaviour of one individual affects the behaviour of others.
Communication occurs by a number of sensory modes.
Visual signals are conveyed by a wide repetoire of postures which are symbolic of certain intents and attitudes such as threat, dominance, submission, space claims and courtship. Auditory cues are not well-developed in most species. Chemical communication with scents from a variety of glands is a major communicative medium which is only now being unfolded by research.