behavioural ecology Flashcards
what is behavioural ecology and how does natural selection shape animal behaviour
behavioural ecology studies animals behaviour influenced by the enviornment theyre in. nature selection also selects for beneficial traits
faster cheetas are better hunters can catch food adn reproduce
Explain kin selection using Hamilton’s Rule. Why might an animal help a relative
of altruism: shared genes. your relatives share a proportion of ur genes, by helping your relative to survive and reproduce, you’re indirectly helping by passing on those genes.
Hamilton’s rule helps us with this rB>C
r= relativeness, how closely related u are (0.5 for parents or siblings)
B = benefit the relative receives from your help, measured in terms of increased reproductive success
C= cost
closer the relative, the higher the r = more likely the benefit will outweigh the cost
if rB>C is true, then both parties will benefit from the altruistic behaviour as one group will increase reproductive success and increase the chance of passing down shared genes to the next generation
compare innate and learned behaviour. how does experience influence behaviour plasticity
innate behaviour are instinct they are naturally hardwired from birth. like a spider doing shi w webs
learned behaviours: experiences from interacting with the world like a crow learning how to pick up a stick
behaviour plasticity:
can be favoured by natural selection.
the ability to change behaviour based on what’s happening around you. new challenges learning new abilities key to that. the ability to adapt like that helps them to survive better. if your main food source disappears but you learn to eat smt else and adapt, thas a huge deal
How do camouflage and mimicry help animals avoid predators
strategy for avoiding predation which multiple animals use to their advantage called camouflage by matching their surroundings they can go undetected by most other organisms, this is also used by predators to sneak up on or ambush prey while they are unaware.
Mimicry is similar in that instead of copying their environment they mimic other species via appearance, sound, or behaviour to achieve the same result of awarding of predators by faking the threat the copied species would propose.
What is optimal foraging theory, and how do animals make trade-offs between food and safety?
compare monogamy, polygyny and polyandry. what determines these mating systems
monogamy: one male, one female forming long-term bonds. both cooperate in raising their offspring. In species with shared parental investment, both parents are more selective about their mate choices (ie. birds).
polygyny: one male mating with multiple females.
polyandry: The process of one female mating with multiple males.
What is reciprocal altruism, and how does it differ from kin selection?
Reciprocal altruism is when an animal acts altruistically towards a genetically unrelated organism, believing it will be paid back later with future reciprocation.
How do animals communicate using visual, auditory, and chemical signals?
visual signals:
- bright colours are often used as signals to convey important info
- poision dart frogs (dont come near me im red and poisionous)
auditory signal
how is climate change affecting animal behaviour
disrupting migration
Climate change affects animal behaviour by disrupting migration patterns,
feeding and reproduction,
forcing the species to adapt to survive.
As a result, animals adapt to these challenges by changing migration patterns, altering ranges, moving to higher/lower altitudes or longitudes in favour of suitable conditions, and by causing changes in reproductive timing and feeding habits. While some animals are able to adjust their behaviour based on these challenges, those that cannot do so may face increased risks of extinction.
