Animal Behavior Flashcards
Behavioral Ecology
Study of how behavior contributes to differential survival and reproduction in organisms
2 Causes of Behavior:
Proximate Causes and Ultimate Causes
Proximate Causes of Behavior
Genetic or physiological mechanisms for behavior; also how environmental stimuli influence behavior in the moment.
Ultimate Causes of Behavior
How behaviors contribute to reproductive success and natural selection.
Migration
seasonal long distance change in location
3 Types of Migration
Piloting, Orientation, and Navigation
Migration: Piloting
Animal uses landmarks, visual cues; needs to be short distances and daytime
Migration: Orientation
Animal uses Earth’s magnetic field or the sun/stars to find direction
Migration: Navigation
Orientation along compass lines, and find their location relative to destination (e.g: pigeons)
Types of signals (4)
Visual, Auditory, Chemical, Tactile
Optimality theory
animals will tend toward the behavior that maximizes benefits while reducing costs.
Innate Behaviors
developmentally fixed behaviors, do not vary
Fixed Action Plans
unlearned responses to stimuli; once initiated, the behavior will go to completion.
Sign stimuli stickle back fish example
Stickle back fish will respond to red belly only, regardless of whether or not it is a fish shape
Cross Fostering Studies
can determine which traits are due to nature, and which to nurture, must be between two fairly similar species
Learning
modification of behavior based on specific experience
Imprinting
learning becomes innate; occurs during a sensitive period.
2 Types of Associative Learning
Classical Conditioning (Pavlov) and Operant conditioning (trial and error learning)
Social Learning
Learning from the observation of others.
2 Social Learning primate examples
chimps learn how to break open seeds, vervet monkeys must learn the culture calls to alert predators
Spatial Learning example
Female digger wasp can no longer find her nest if the exact landmarks surrounding it are moved.
Mating Systems: Polygamy Types
Polygny- one male with many females; Polyandry- one female with many males.
If offspring are likely to need a continuous supply of food…the couple will be (monogamous/polygamous)
If offspring are likely to need a continuous supply of food… the couple will be monogamous.
If offspring are not likely to need a continuous supply of food… the couple will be (monogamous/polygamous)
If offspring are not likely to need a continuous supply of food… the couple will be polygamous.
