lecture 11 - factors affecting vigilance Flashcards
how does distance from conspecifics and perceived group size affect vigilance
less vigilant with greater numbers but evidence points to individuals using both their nearest neighbor distance and # of close individuals to measure risk
how does position group affect vigilance
many studies show that peripheral individuals are more vigilant than ones in the center
how does cover affect vigilance
cover effects in different ways
but they use it so they have to be less vigilant
how does age affect vigilance
younger individuals are predicted to be more vigilant since they are subject to greater predation risk but this isn’t true bc young animals are less competent at making vigilance profitable, and they have higher energy demands (need more nutrition so need to feed more and cannot be as vigilant)
how does motherhood affect vigilance
mothers with young are more vigilant than mothers without young
how does sex affect vigilance in mammals
male mammals are usually more vigilant than females
how does sex vigilance differences occur in some monogamous species
males are more vigilant so females can focus on feeding/pregnancy/lactation
how does habitat affect vigilance
it does
how does time of day affect vigilance
depends on predator activity rhythm so they are more vigilant when predators more active
how does temperature affect vigilance in birds
birds are less vigilant at cooler temps to save energy
how does starvation levels affect vigilance
tufted titmice which must feed after sunrise show increasing levels of vigilance only when morning progresses
how does body condition affect vigilance in birds
birds are less vigilant when body mass is low bc they need to feed
how does season/annual biological cycle affect vigilance
it does
how does predator abundance affect vigilance
more vigilant when more predators
