14. Habitat selection, territoriality, and migration

Question 1

The ideal free distribution model

Answer 1

Image two different habitats types, or patches; a good patch (1) and a worse patch (2)
The first individual that makes a decision where to go should choose patch 1
Once the average resource intake at patch 1 drops to the point labelled A, individuals start to fill patch 2

Question 2

Territory

Answer 2

An area that an animal or a group of animas of a particular species consistently defends against conspecifics (and occasionally animals of other species) to ensure exclusive access to resources.

Question 3

Intraspecific competition

Answer 3

often relates to mating success but also to resource competition within one species

Question 4

Interspecific competition

Answer 4

mainly relates to claiming identical or similar resources between different species

Question 5

Visual information processing

Answer 5

for recognition of specific landmarks (=distinct visual cues) and determination of directions according to celestial cues (sun, stars as non-stationary references) with an integration of internal

Question 6

circadian clock information

Answer 6

(e.g., when moving South in the morning, the sun has to be in the East (left), whereas when moving South in the afternoon, the sun has to be in the West (right))

Question 7

Proprioceptive and vestibular information processing – used in path integration

Answer 7

Estimation of distance based on interoceptive information (e.g., counting steps)

Question 8

Olfactory information processing

Answer 8

e.g. used for trait following in ants (using the olfactory information form pheromone trails to move out and return to the nest)

Question 9

Tactile information processing

Answer 9

e.g. used by (nocturnal) rodents e.g. based on their whisker system

Question 10

Ultrasound information processing

Answer 10

e.g. used bats for orientation in a three-dimensional space (cave) with their sonar system

Question 11

Electric sense for three-dimensional orientation in opaque water

Answer 11

(e.g. by electric fish)

Question 12

Magnetic sense for orientation

Answer 12

use the directions of the magnetic fields to orient themselves (e.g. pigeons returning to loft, but also wood mice)