Chapter 7 Flashcards
behavior
anything organisms do that involves action in response to internal or external stimuli; the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment; such responses may or may not be deliberate and they aren’t necessarily the results of conscious decision making
ecological
pertaining to the relationships between organisms and all aspects of their environment (temperature, predators, nonpredators, vegetation, availability of food and water, types of food, disease organisms, parasites, etc.)
behavioral ecology
the study of the evolution of behavior, emphasizing the role of ecological factors as agents of natural selection; behaviors and behavioral patterns have been favored because they increase the reproductive fitness of individuals (i.e., they are adaptive) in specific environmental contexts
social structure
the composition, size, and sex ratio of a group of animals; the social structure of a species is, in part, the result of natural selection in a specific habitat, and it guides individual interactions and social relationships
metabolism
the chemical processes within cells that break down nutrients and release energy for the body to use (when nutrients are broken down into their component parts, such as amino acids, energy is released and made available for cells to use)
matrilines
groups that consist of a female, her daughters, and their offspring; common among macaques
life history traits
characteristics and developmental stages that influence reproductive rates; ex: longevity, age at sexual maturity, length of time between births, etc.
dominance heirarchies
systems of social organization wherein individuals within a group are ranked relative to one another; higher-ranking animals have greater access to preferred food items and mating partners than lower-ranking individuals; sometimes called “pecking orders”
communication
any act that conveys information to another individual; frequently, the result of communication is a change in the behavior of the recipient; may not be deliberate but may instead be the result of involuntary processes or a secondary consequence of an intentional action
autonomic
pertaining to physiological responses not under voluntary control; example in chimpanzees: erection of body hair during excitement; human example: blushing; both convey information regarding emotional states, but neither is deliberate, and communication isn’t intended
grooming
picking through fur to remove dirt, parasites, and other materials present; social grooming is common among primates and reinforces social relationships
displays
sequences of repetitious behaviors that serve to communicate emotional states; nonhuman primate displays are most frequently associated with reproductive/agnostic behavior; ex: chest slapping in gorillas, dragging and waving branches while charging and threatening other animals in chimps
language
a standardized system of arbitrary vocal sounds, written symbols, and gestures used in communication
affiliative behaviors
amicable associations between individuals; reinforce social bonds and promote group cohesion (ex: grooming)
reproductive strategies
behaviors or behavioral complexes that have been favored by natural selection to increase individual reproductive success; need not be deliberate, and often vary considerably between males and females