Anti-predatory behaviours

Question 1

Definition of primary defences?

Answer 1

-reduces the probability of an attack

Question 2

What are the types of primary defences?

Answer 2

• remaining hidden (being inconspicuous)
• pretending to be dangerous ((mimicry) poisonous/toxic characteristics of other species or show they’re dangerous)
• reduce odds of being selected (selfish herding, hoping another gets eaten first)

Question 3

Definition of mullerian mimicry?

Answer 3

• honest signal
• characteristics are a true reflection of actual qualities
• e.g. wasp with colouring of black/yellow to show poisonous
• success depends on number of noxious species in the predator’s range

Question 4

Definition of batesian mimicry?

Answer 4

• dishonest signal
• e.g. hover fly with yellow/black colouring however it doesn’t actually have poisonous sting
• success of this mimicry depends on number of noxious species in the predator’s range

Question 5

What are the benefits of being in a group?

Answer 5

• dilution
• confusion
• selfish herding
• vigilance (being aware of where predator is so know when it’s safe to forage)
• predator inspection (watching predator so they’re less likely to waste energy on attacking/hunting those individuals as they’re likely to have escape plan)
• should join groups of optimum size to maximise investment in the group ‘ideal’

Question 6

Definition of secondary defences?

Answer 6

• reduce likelihood of successful attack

- methods can be risky

Question 7

What are the types of secondary defences?

Answer 7

• distraction (can have traits that indicate purpose different to what it actually is or perform behaviour indicative of something they aren’t)
• alarm calls (alert others to distract predator and reduce chances of success)
• mobbing
• show off strength to predator to reduce chance it continues with attack
• fight back so attacker is worn down and gives up to go for someone else

Question 8

Example of distraction as a secondary defence?

Answer 8

• e.g. Threadfin butterflyfish
• has eye spot on it’s tail so that predator attacks that spot which is easier to grown back compared to it’s face which is covered by dark band making eyes invisible
• e.g. Ringed plover
• pretends to have broken wing to lure predators from nest and then flies off

Question 9

What are the 2 types of hunting methods?

Answer 9

• stalker hunting method (get close to prey before charging fast to bring one down)
• courser hunting method (chase prey down till it’s exhausted and can’t run anymore)