Environment vs Instinct

Question 1

Genetic influence on animal behavior

Answer 1

Dictates the neural and physiological base for behaviour.

Question 2

2 examples for genetic influence

Answer 2

1. Honeybees (Apis mellifera) the for gene determines whether a worker becomes and nurse or a forager.
2. In zebra finches (Taeniopygia sp.) genetic predispositions define the culture-specific birdsong.

Question 3

Environmental influence on behaviour

Answer 3

The environment shapes the exact fine tunings of an individuals behaviour.

Question 4

Example for environmental influence

Answer 4

In rats (Rattus sp.) offspring of attentive mothers have reduced stress hormone levels (for life) due to epigenetic modifications.

Question 5

Example for genetic/environment interplay.

Answer 5

In fox (Vulpes vulpes) domestication, tameness can be selected for genetically, however, habituation and conditioning has far greater outcome.

Question 6

Herring gull

Answer 6

Larus argentatus

Question 7

Herring gull behavioral scientist

Answer 7

Nikolas Tinbergen demonstarted that herring gull chicks peck at red dots, regardless if they repeatedly get food or not.