Defensive Behavior (L13) T2

Question 1

Primary and Secondary defenses

Answer 1

Primary: Helps prevent detection by predators
Secondary: Helps prevent capture by predators AFTER detection.

Question 2

Examples of Primary and Secondary defenses

Answer 2

Primary: Hiding, cryptic coloration (camoflauge), body decorations, concealing evidence.

Secondary: Associating with a protected species, advertising unprofitability, flocking.

Question 3

What is anachoresis and cryptic coloration (cypsis)?

Answer 3

Anachoresis = burrowing
crypsis = camoflauging: background color matches animal color.

Crypsis examples: camoflauging, patterns, countershading, counterillumination

Question 4

What is aposematic coloration, mullerian mimicry, and batesian mimicry?

Answer 4

Aposematic coloration: bright colors serve as warning signals or advertisement.

Mullerian mimicry: warning mimicry where the model and mimic are both unpalatable.

Batesian mimicry: cryptic mimicry where the model is unpalatable, but the mimic is palatable.

Question 5

Why do animals form flocks?

Answer 5

Increased foraging efficiency and increased defense from predators.

Question 6

What is the flight distance?

Answer 6

Distance from predator at which flight (escape) first takes place.

Question 7

What is a selfish herd?

Answer 7

Safety in numbers; individuals reduce probability of predation by forming a group.

EX: Whirligig beetles! larger groups are more likely to be attacked by predatory fish but the chance that any individual will be struck is less for beetles in large groups.

Question 8

“dilution effect”

Answer 8

Synchronization of breeding to overwhelm consumption capacity of local predators, who quickly become satiated.