L. 24 - Individuals, behaviour and environment Flashcards
L.O.
- Understand links between morphology, physiology and behaviour
- Describe the ecological & evolutionary significance of behaviour
- Understand and apply models to describe various behavioural strategies to obtain food and avoid being food
- Understand strategies used in reproductive behaviour
- Justify why behaviour is not just something only animals do
- Appreciate the science behind our knowledge and understanding of behaviour
Behaviour
- Part of how organisms respond to the biotic and abiotic environment
eg. Carnivor vs. Herbivores - Morphology is different
How behaviour affects fitness
Fitness:
- Individuals relative contribution to next generations gene pool
- Evidence = effect of feeding on high quality increases reproductive output
Behaviour impacting fitness
- Together with morphology and physiology
- Natural selection acts on behaviour
- Many behaviours are adaptive
Behaviour is…
Ecologically significant because:
- it links individual and environment
- affects demographics
- affects interactions amoung species
Evolutionarily significant because:
- it has some genetic basis
- affects fitness
- can be selected (benefits > costs)
Behaviour: Obtaining Food
- Foraging linked with morphology and physiology
- Non-random choice of food
Foraging strategies defined by:
- what they eat
- how they eat
- diet breadth
Optimal foraging theory
Marginal value theorum
Foraging ecology
Optimal foraging theory
- Modelled which food items to eat in a non-depleting environment
- Predicts foragers should maximise net rate of food intake
Marginal value theorum
- Modelled when to leave food patch in depleting environment
Foraging ecology
Tests predictions about foraging behaviour
Giving up Densities (GUDs)
- Empirical approach to experimentally testing different foraging therories in different landscapes
- GUDs = the remaining quantity of food when a forager decides to leave patch
Behaviour: Avoid Becoming Food
Antipredator strategies:
- Run away
- Group up
- Hide
- Act costly
- Be costly
- Feed in safe space/ times
Costs to antipred strats:
- group = competition
- Safe feeding = missed opportunities elsewhere
Behaviour: Reproducing
- Courtship and mating behaviour is non-random
- Parental care
- Trade off costs vs benefits
Behaviour: Courtship and mating
Sexual reproduction
- Male to male competition
- Female choice
- Result in non-random
Fancy tail on birds:
- High costs, energy in production and maintainance, risk of predators
- Benefit = mate access
Behaviour: Sexual selection
Sexual Dimorphism
1. Intrasexual selection
- Competition between males
-
Intersexual selection
- Mate choice
Behaviour: Parental Care
- Variety of types and amount
Benefit = Increased chance of survival and growth of offspring
Cost = missed opportunities (mate again)
