29. Animal Behavior 1

Question 1

define behavioural ecology

Answer 1

the study of the ecological and evolutionary basis for animal behavior

Question 2

what are proximate and ultimate questions?

Answer 2

provide approaches to the study of animal behaviour proximate: “how” a behaviour occurs or is modified? ultimate: “why” a behaviour occurs in the context of natural selection?

Question 3

what is a fixed action pattern?

Answer 3

acts that haven’t been taught to an animal that directly links to a simple stimulus - this is called sign stimulus. think of the red fish bellies making other males annoyed, along with other red objects passing the tank

Question 4

define imprinting

Answer 4

the establishment of a long lasting behavioral response to a particular individual (eg mother and daughter)

Question 5

what is the sensitive period in imprinting?

Answer 5

when the offspring imprints on a parent to learn their parents basic behaviors

Question 6

What was Niko Tinbergen four questions about animal behaviour?

Answer 6

Mechanisms - the mechanistic basis of the behaviour Ontogeny - how the development influecnces behaviour Function - behaviour = survival Evolution - history of the behaviour

Question 7

What is animal signal and communication?

Answer 7

Signal is the behaviour that causes a change in another animals behaviour Communication is the reception of a response to signals

Question 8

What is chemical communication?

Answer 8

Animals that communicate through doors which emit chemical substances called pheromones

Question 9

Define spatial learning

Answer 9

The modification of behaviour based on experience with the spatial structure of the envionrment

Question 10

Define cognition

Answer 10

The ability of an animals nervous system to remember information gathered