Exam 4 (Ch. 54-60) Flashcards
Proximate Causes of Behavior
How questions
How do bats use their sonar or how do birds navigate for example.
Developmental systems
Physiological systems
Ultimate Causes of Behavior
Why questions
Why does an animal behave a certain way
Evolution of a trait – changes over history
How a behavior benefits the survival or reproduction of the individual
Kin Selection
Selfish behavior of an organism that includes close kin
Inclusive Fitness
Selfish behavior of an organism that includes close kin and close relatives
Reciprocal Altruism
When an organism does something for another organism but expects something in return in the future. Not only humans; sometimes the organism does the favor with this expectation but the other organism doesn’t return it/stabs it in the back. The organism remembers this and doesn’t take lightly to it
Sociobiology
The study of social behavior between two or more animals. Most animals aren’t social
Eusocial Species (Usually Insects)
There is one single breeding female (usually the queen), who produces nonbreeding, working individuals, to take care of the young, make and bring food, etc. There are castes such as workers, soldiers, queens, etc. It’s basically a mini society
Generation Time
The time between the birth of an individual and production of their first offspring. In general the larger the species the longer the generation time
Semelparity
Organisms that save energy to reproduce just once.
Produce large numbers of offspring
Tend to have short lives (there are exceptions)
Iteroparity
Organisms that reproduce many times over their life span
They produce relatively few offspring at one time (there are exceptions)
K-Selected Populations
Tend to maintain an equilibrium near the carrying capacity
R-Selected Populations
They have rapid growth and their population often fluctuates
Intraspecific Competition
Competition within a species
Species Richness
Number of species
Interspecific Interactions
Interactions between species
Cryptic Coloration
Camouflage; blending in with environment/surroundings
Deceptive Coloration
Changing color to fool predators or prey. Camouflage and mimicry; such as the snake who mimics the color of the deadly snake to fool predators
Aposematic Coloration
Using a “warning color”, such as when some species turn bright colors to show potential toxicity
Batesian Mimicry
A harmless species that resembles a dangerous or unpalatable species
Mullerian Mimicry
Unpalatable or dangerous species resembling one-another
Resource Partitioning
When one or more different species learn to share resources so none of them are at harm
Ecological Niche
The total of an organism’s use of abiotic and biotic resources in it’s environment
Fundamental Niche
Resources that can theoretically be used by an organism
Realized Niche
Resources that are actually used by an organism
Primary Succession
Begins in a lifeless area like a new volcanic island
Secondary Succession
Begins after a disturbance
Eutrophic Lakes
Filled with algae or aquatic plants. The abundance of algae or plants is often caused by fertilizer or sewage runoff. Phosphorus and nitrogen are key nutrients contributing to eutrophic conditions
Minimum Viable Population Size
The smallest number of individuals needed to maintain a population
Minimum Dynamic Area
The amount of habitat needed to maintain a population
Keystone Species
If removed entire ecosystem collapses
Indicator Species
Provide status of overall health of an ecosystem
Umbrella Species
Large habitat, if habitat is protected many other species will be protected
Flagship Species
Instantly recognizable species – symbols of conservation campaigns
