Block 8 - Animal behaviour

Question 1

What are Tinbergen’s 4 questions?

Answer 1

1) Development/ ontogeny
- What are the roles of genetic and ontogenetic factors in the development of a behaviour?

2) Causation
- What proximate factors cause the behaviour? (biological mechanisms)

3) Evolution
- How did the behaviour eveolve from that of its ancestors? E.g. in the face of competition from other species

4) Adaption/ function
- How does the behaviour contribute to the survival of the individual and/ or enhance its genetic contribution to the next generation?

Question 2

Why are individuals typically selfish?

Answer 2

So that they can maximise their lifetime reproductive fitness

Question 3

What evidence exists for behaviour having a genetic basis?

Answer 3

Two types:
- population level genetic differences
- artifical selection experiements

Question 4

How do you calculate the net rate of energetic gain?

Answer 4

gamma = b - e

net rate gain = energetic gain rate - energetic expenditure rate

Question 5

What does the term ‘economic decision-makers’ refer to in terms of animal behaviour?

Answer 5

• Animals will make choices that are based on a cost:benefit analysis.
• E.g. behaviour takes time and energy which cannot then be allocated to other activities