animal behavior - exam 3 Flashcards
behavioral ecology
focuses on how behavior contributes to the differential survival & reproduction of animals
how is success of behavior measured in evolutionary terms
passing genes to the next generation
proximate causation
how behavior occurs or is modified
proximate causation questions
what event or signal triggers the behavior & what are the mechanisms
how does experience & development influence behavior
proximate causation in frigate birds
presence of female triggers behavior
older males are better at attracting females
visual stimulus releases hormones
ultimate causation
why a behavior evolves
ultimate causation questions
how does the behavior aid survival & reproduction
what is the evolutionary history of the behavior
ultimate causation in frigate birds
drumming attracts a mate –> reproduction
bond w/ mate = higher survival rate for offspring
innate behavior
requires no learning
fixed action pattern
sequence of unlearned, innate behaviors
once initiated, usually carried to completion
- even if stimulus is removed
behavior is the same everytime
sign stimulus
stimulus that triggers an FAP
stickleback fish fap & sign stimulus
circle & attack when another male fish comes near their nest
sign stimulus = red belly
what does behavior result from
a mix of genes & the environment
birdsong
genetically programmed to learn
only sing correct song if they hear the correct song as a baby
cannot learn the song of another bird
piloting
movement of animals from one familiar landmark to another
drawbacks of piloting
short distances
for visual landmarks - not useful at night or over ocean
only works if landmarks are stationary
orientation
movement of animals along a compass line
what do some animals use for orientation
sun compass
monarchs
how does a sun compass work
requires an internal clock bc position of sun changes over time
if going south –> keep sun on left in the morning, go towards sun midday, keep sun on right in the afternoon
how do animals who use sun compasses orient when they can’t see the sun
use the earth’s magnetic field as a compass
drawbacks of orientation
can’t get back on track if blown off course
navigation
ability of animals who can orient along compass lines to determine their location in relation to their destination
able to get back on track if blown off course
cognitive map
a representation in the brain of the spatial relationships between objects
what is a cognitive map based on
earth’s magnetic field
landmarks
sounds
odors
highways
demonstrating landmark use in digger wasps
pine cones around nest
researcher moves pine cones
wasp can’t find its nest
communication
use of specifically designed signals to modify the behavior of others
signal
a stimulus transmitted from one animal to another
how do bees communicate the location of food to other bees
waggle dance
waggle dance
provides info about:
direction - w/ respect to sun
distance - number & duration of waggles
waggle dance up
towards the sun
waggle dance down
away from the sun
round dance
food near hive
no directional info
primary functions of communication
attract mates
repel rivals
why do the same signals that attract females repel males
handicap principle
handicap principle
communication signals indicate male quality
testosterone & handicap principle
high testosterone is necessary to produce high quality signals but it’s expensive (takes a lot of energy)
only high quality males can afford it
