Feeding Behavior | Optimal Foraging Behavior & Ecology

Question 1

The animal should feed &
change their feeding in a
manner that:
1. minimizes the cost
2. maximizes the benefit

Answer 1

Optimal Foraging Theory

Charles J. Krebs

Question 2

Maximization of net energy intake

Energy content of food

Handling time

Answer 2

Optimal Foraging

Question 3

Optimal Foraging - Components of handling time (4)

Answer 3

Locate
Pursue
Capture
Process (eat)

Question 4

Optimal Foraging Can be achieved thru (5):

Answer 4

1.Optimal Diet = Food Type?

2.Optimal Foraging Time = when to eat?
when to stop eating?

3. Optimal Patch Choice = Where?

4.Optimal Allocation of Time = How long to spend?

5. Optimal Search Paths = directions, patterns, speed?

Question 5

Feeding guilds (11)

Answer 5

1.piscivores = fishes
2.insectivores = insects
3.myrmecophagous = anteaters
4.vermivores = worms
5.folivores = foliage, young leaves
6.granivores= grains, rice, corn
7.fructivores = fruits, nuts, berries
8.carnivorous = meat eaters
9.omnivores = meat & leaves, fruits
10.blood suckers = vertebrate blood
11.coprophagous = wastes, manure

Question 6

Waterbirds Bill/Beak Type based on:

Method of eating (2)

Answer 6

Type of Food item

Probing, Pecking

Question 7

Waterbird habitat types: 6

Answer 7

Freshwater wetlands
Sandy Beaches
Rocky SHores
Intertidal mud/sandflats
Grasslands
Inland Salt Lakes

Question 8

___ monkeys of Borneo

Answer 8

Proboscis

Question 9

Proboscis monkey complex stomach vs human simple stomach

Answer 9

1. Obtain E from leaves +
2. Deactivate poisons +
3. Make some vitamins +
4. Re-cycle N +
5. Digest sweet & e-rich fruits -
6. Digest rich easily- accessible protein e.g. insects -

Question 10

Proboscis monkeys avoid rambutans and figs, as it would give highly uncomfortable condition known as ___

Answer 10

Bloat

Question 11

Highly digestible foods, the bacteria ferment them so rapidly that gas and acid build up suddenly in the stomach

Answer 11

Rambutans & figs

Question 12

Types of Optimal Foraging TIme (3)

Answer 12

Diurnal - early am & late pm
Crepuscular - late pm
Nocturnal - 6-9 pm

Question 13

The study of the biophysical, biochemical, and physiological processes

Used by animals to cope with factors of their physical environment, or employed during ecological interactions with other organisms

A discipline that combines the study of physiological and ecological processes in living organisms.

Answer 13

Physiological Ecology

Question 14

Physiological ecology focuses on ___ and ___ to ever-changing environments in both laboratory and field.

Answer 14

whole-animal function
adjustments

Question 15

In order to survive and reproduce successfully in their ever-changing environments organisms make

Answer 15

Short-term behavioral and long-term physiological adjustments

Question 16

The study of physiological ecology begins with an understanding of the influence of ___

Answer 16

ambient temperatures

Question 17

Is an important factor in the distribution of organisms because of its effects on biological processes

Answer 17

Environmental temperature

Question 18

Is the process by which animals maintain an internal temperature within a tolerable range

Answer 18

Thermoregulation

Question 19

Affects the physiology of organisms as well as the density and state of water

Answer 19

temperature

Question 20

Mechanisms for regulating the temperature of their bodies (4)

Answer 20

High metabolic rate
Efficient circulatory system
Hibernation
Estivation

Question 21

Maintain a high internal temperature through metabolic heat generation

Most of the heat comes from metabolism in the gut and brain

Answer 21

Endothermy

Question 22

Regulation of body temperature depends on external sources, such as sunlight or a heated rock surface

Answer 22

Ectotherms

Question 23

Animals that hibernate or estivate enter a state known as ___.

A condition in which their metabolic rate is significantly lowered.

Enables animal to wait until its environment better supports survival

Answer 23

Torpor

Question 24

Some amphibians such as the wood frog have an ___ in their cells which retains the cells’ integrity and prevents them from freezing and bursting

Answer 24

antifreeze-like chemical

Question 25

___ solves problems related to temperature, location food, and finding a mate

Answer 25

Migration

Question 26

Contributes to thermoregulation across many animal species.

Includes adjusting the amount of insulation-by growing a thicker coat of fur in the winter and shedding it in the summer.

Answer 26

Acclimization

Question 27

Acclimization in ___ often includes adjustments at the ___ level.

Answer 27

Ectotherms

Question 28

Cholesterol reduces ___ at moderate temperatures by reducing ___ movement.

At low temperatures it hinders ___ by disrupting the regular packing of ___.

Answer 28

membrane fluidity, phospholipid

solidification, phospholipid

Question 29

Is another major focus in physiological ecology, particularly criticial for desert dwelling organisms.

Answer 29

Water availability

Question 30

Regulates solute concentrations and balances the gain and loss of water.

Is based largely on controlled movement of solutes between internal fluids and the external environment.

Answer 30

Osmoregulation

Question 31

Ways an animal can maintain water balance (2)

Answer 31

Osmoconformer, isoosmotic with its surroundings, do not regulate their osmolarity (TYPICALLY MARINE INVERTEBRATES)

Osmoregulator, controls its internal osmolarity independent of that of its environment. (TYPICALLY MARINE VERTEBRATES AND SOME INVERTEBRATES)

Question 32

Types of animals depending on changes in external osmolarity

Answer 32

Stenohaline - cannot tolerate substantial changes

Euryhaline - can survive large fluctuations in external osmolarity

Question 33

Saltwater fish balance water loss by ___

Freshwater animals maintain water balance by ___

Answer 33

Drinking seawater

Excreting large amounts of dilute urine

Question 34

Land animals manage their water budgets by ___

Answer 34

drinking and eating moist foods and by using metabolic water

Question 35

Desert animals get water savings from ___

Answer 35

simple anatomical features