4. Anti-Predator Behavior Flashcards
what is the sequence of actions that can be seen in predator and prey interactions
defense: behavioral, morphological, physiological, life history that enables prey to avoid or escape predation
what are the two basic forms of anti-predator behaviors
avoid detection behavior/mechanisms; escape actions/mechanisms
what are the three ways to avoid predators
blending into the environment; being quiet; choosing safe habitats
what are the five anti-predator actions
fleeing; approaching; feigning; signaling; fighting
who studied cuttlefish background matching patterns
roger hanlon
what is a way to blend into the environment
cryptic color pattern
what are cryptic color patterns
resembles a random sample of the background perceived by predators
what are the three mechanisms of cryptic color pattern
background matching; minimize shadow; disruptive coloration
what do cuttlefish have that allow them to use cryptic color patterns
chromatophores
when it is ideal to be quiet when avoiding predators
tactic for avoidance when predators use sound for locating prey
what are the two things prey need to consider when choosing a safe habitat to avoid predators
selecting predator free environments; prey species utilize refuge to avoid prey or shift to habitats that are away from predator location
why is nest selection in birds important
predation on nest influences survivability of offspring
what type of nesters have the lowest risk of predation
cavity nesters have the lowest risk of predication compared to canopy and shrub nesters
who studies phylogenetic cavity nesters in parrots
Brightsmith
what is the ancestral nesting behavior in parrots
tree cavity
who studied behavior decisions made under risk of predation
Lawrence Dill
what is the most common response by prey to being detected by predator
fleeing
what is flight-initiation distance (FID)
the min distance a predator can approach before prey flees
what are factors affecting flight-initiation distance (FID)
distance to cover; social group; age; alternative activities; predators size and speed
FID increases when…
cost of remaining decreases
FID decreases when….
cost of flight increases
what must evolve for prey to approach a predator after detection
evolve approach response the average fitness benefit must outweigh the average fitness cost
what prey animal will approach its predator
an antelope will approach ambush predators like lions and cheetahs
what are the three possible benefits to approaching behavior
approach decreases current risk of predation; info gathering of threat level; approach may serve as a warning signal for danger
what is tonic immobility
death feigning in response to predators
what is death feigning
a catatonic state
when is death feigning used most often
response to close proximity and lack of opportunity of escape from predator
what animals use death feigning
mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects
is death feigning beneficial
lack of evidence on relationship between feigning and surviving predatory attack
what animal uses warning signals
monarch butterfly uses warning coloration
why are monarch butterflies a paradox
predator must kill prey item to learn about prey toxicity
when prey fight back, what are two behavior mechanisms for deterring capture
chemical defense and social mobbing
what animal uses mobbing
blackbirds
who studied squirrel foraging behavior
Lima and Dil
how are squirrel foraging choices modified by predation risk
squirrels carry food items to protective cover when distance to cover is near; they tend to carry larger food items rather than small ones