Coevolution & arms races

Question 1

Define ‘coevolution’

Answer 1

a change in one gene in one species stimulates an evolutionary change in one gene in a second species, which in turn stimulated another evolutionary change in the first species etc…

Question 2

Define ‘arms race’

Answer 2

Antagonistic co-evolution characterised by the mutual escalation of investments in attack capacity in one species and defence capacity in the other.

Question 3

What are the 2 types of camouflage defence?

Answer 3

cryptic (blending into background) and masquerade (object resemblance)

Question 4

Give the 2 types of mimicry

Answer 4

batesian & mullerian mimicry

Question 5

What is disruptive colouration

Answer 5

breaking up outlines with strongly-contrasting markings

Question 6

What is countershading

Answer 6

when an animal’s pigmentation is darker on the upperside and ligher on the underside of the body

Question 7

What is aposematism

Answer 7

warning colourisatio

Question 8

What is the difference between batesian and mullerian mimicry

Answer 8

batesian - one edible and one toxic species

mullerian - both toxic species

Question 9

What is deimatic behaviour

Answer 9

defensive postures or other visual displays, including colour changes, that function to intimidate or frighten another animal

Question 10

What is thenatosis?

Answer 10

feigning death