Comparative Flashcards
Give 2 features of same method/task comparisons.
They are suitable for closely related species and species-specific adaptations make its applicability difficult.
Give 2 features of different method/task comparisons.
They have greater phylogenic applicability but low comparability.
Give 3 features of functionally equivalent method/task comparisons.
There are problems in dining functionally equivalent tasks, they have greater phylogenic applicability and allow test batteries on particular topics.
Give an advantage and a disadvantage of using functionally equivalent ages in comparisons.
Advantage: Adapted to the species being compared.
Disadvantage: Rules of thumb are not always right.
Give the 4 key words in Tinbergen’s four questions.
Mechanism, function, phylogeny and ontogeny.
An animal’s key function is to (______), through (genetic/endocrinological) control.
Survive and reproduce, genetic.
An animal’s key mechanism is to (______), through (genetic/endocrinological) control.
Seek pleasure and avoid pain, endrocinological.
Describe fission-fusion groups.
They vary in spatial cohesion and individual membership in subgroups, and groups are rarely all together.
On inhibitory control tasks, what is sometimes a better predictor of performance than phylogeny?
Sociality.
What 3 characteristics do polygamous males usually have, in comparison to monogamous males and females?
Larger home range, better spatial abilities and larger hippocampal volume.
What 2 characteristics do food storing birds usually have, in comparison to non-food storing birds?
Better spatial abilities and larger hippocampal volume.
What 3 characteristics do females which carry out brood parasitism usually have, in comparison to males?
Can keep track of multiple nest sites, better spatial abilities and larger hippocampal volume.
Which timing style allows animals to use short arbitrary durations to perform actions for specific periods, etc.?
Interval timing.
Which timing style allows animals to use short the tidal cycle, the light-dark cycle or seasons to keep time?
Circadian rhythms.
Define circadian rhythms.
Endogenous timing mechanisms that predict changes in the environment and synchronise physiology and behaviour accordingly.
Describe cropping.
Visiting food sources at or close to the moment of replenishment.
Define navigation.
An animal’s ability to male it’s way to a desired location.
Define homing.
The specific use of navigation to return home.
Define migration.
Seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.
Define path integration.
The ability to directly return to a starting point after visiting several locations without the aid of external cues.
What input signals do invertebrates use in path integration?
Number of steps and optic flow.
What input signals do vertebrates use in path integration?
Vestibular system, optic flow, proprioception and motor commands.
Define compasses.
The ability to use planetary and/or exo-planetary cues to efficiently move from one location to another.
Define landmarks.
An object or gradient in the environment that aids an individual to a navigate to a particular location.