Lecture (Final Exam) Flashcards
Definition of communication
The provision of a signal (typically containing information) from one animal (the sender) to another animal (the receiver), which has an influence on its behavior
What are the primary forms of communication?
Tactile, visual, auditory, chemical
Selection will favor ____ that (on average) benefit the _____.
Signals / sender
Selection will favor ____that (on average) benefit the ______. ; however, not all communication does so (manipulation/deceipt)
responses / receiver
Signal
a packet of energy or matter generated by one individual (sender) which is selected for in its effects in altering the behavior of another individual (receiver).
How do the forms of communication differ?
Distance and orientation between sender and reciever.
-time span, information conveyed, and impact of physical environment
What types of information can be conveyed within species?
sex sexual condition territory ownership group membership social status motivational state
what type of information can be conveyed between species?
predator detection
physical condition
conflict
avoid fighting to death
territorial
to establish and maintain
sexual interactions
mate choice
parent-offspring
care and food provision
social integration
dominance, hunting, predator defense
environmental information
food, predator warning
autocommunication
echolocation
signals can be ______ and have more than one ______ or _______.
combined / meaning or receiver
Visual communication can mean?
conflict
territorialism
social dominance
predator alarm
Example of interspecies communication
white-tailed deer flagging
Tactile examples
social bonding
induce ovulation
Chemical communication is very______ especially among ______ mammals.
common / terrestrial
Chemical communication example
many glands occur on the typical mammal
Olfactory communication
urine and feces and skin glands
sebaceous
oily secretions, long-lasting, used to mark objects
apocrine
water-based, volatile, short term
olfactory communication receptors
vomeronasal / turbinates length and complexity (amount of surface area is key)
Olfactory communication discrimination
species, individual, sex and sexual status, age, mood
olfactory communication reproduction
stimulate mating behavior (pheromones , flehmen) stimulate estrus synchronize estrus prevent estrus or mating behavior mate choice
How does chemical communication aid in conservation?
monitor population, reduce human-wildlife conflicts, influence habitat selection, welfare of captive animals, encourage captive breeding, reducing predation, increasing success of release programs, health status of population, reducing hybridization
What are bear pedal glands?
eccrine glands in footpads, apocrine and sebaceous glands in the interdigital, metacarpal, and metatarsal skin, pedal scent contained 26 compounds
why do mongooses use handstand to mark anal glands?
using swabs at different heights, determined that females spent more time at higher markings, females have intense intrasexual competition.
Coyotes defend territories thru
olfactory signals
What do coyote markings mean?
defend territory, feces and urine marking of boundaries, alpha defecate along boundaries
Threats to mammals
human population habitat destruction habitat degradation species exploitation cultural and religious issues islands hybridization global climate change
Strategies for conservation of mammals
protection habitat enhancement captive breeding reintroduction cultural shift, education, enforcement genetic rescue disease rescue
protection example
bears, and other carnivores
captive breeding example
black footed ferrets
reintroduction example
wolves, river otters
cultural shift, education, enforcement example
tusks, horns, gall bladder
genetic rescue example
florida panther
disease rescue example
tasmanian devil
how many states have re-introduced otters
21
primary cause of mortality for adults: primary 2 factors?
species diversity of predators and prey
body size of prey relative to other prey and predator
what is the threshold for small ungulates who experience greater predation pressure than large ungulates?
150 kg
__________for large ungulates, _____ for small ungulates
food limitation ; predation
what two opposing constaints do large carnivore species face?
the need to minimize expenditure while obtaining high rates of food intake.
what is the maximum mass for a terrestrial mammalian carnivore?
1100 kg
as body mass increases above _________kg the achievable net gain rate can be increased by adopting a large ___________ strategy
14.5 -21 kg / prey feeding
what is the largest terrestrial carnivore
short-faced bear
Additive predation
annual survival is affected by predation
compensatory predation
mortality due to predation results in lessened mortality from other causes
Meadow vole females may produce ____ young annually
170
how do predators impact prey?
reduce prey numbers through predation
change the distribution of prey
increase the biodiversity of prey
positive benefits for prey?
can limit other predators
improve the herd, even increase prey
surplus killing
animals killed but not eaten
partial prey consumption
brown bears and salmon
excessive killing
killing beyond immediate energetic needs, caching for later (least weasels)
intraguild competition
mechanism is often killing or intraguild predation
usually base don body size, most evident in canids
how can we alter the predator prey relationship?
changing the prey numbers, (provide food, shelter, diversity of habitat) changing the numbers of predators in the area (removal, predator pits)`
What are the 4 social systems
socio-spatial system
mating system
rearing system
dispersal system
What are the advantages of being social?
easier to find mates
easier to find, and procure food
easier to defend resources from conspecifics
protection from predation
Disadvantages of being social
more competition for mates
fewer resources per individual
facilitates transmission of disease
What causes sarcoptic mange?
mites that burrow in the skin
Socio - spatial systems
non-territorial / territorial
non-territorial
live in home ranges that overlap with conspecifics, no defense of a territory
territorial
live in exclusive home ranges that are defended from conspecifics through direct or indirect methods
4 main socio spatial systems
solitary
pair living
gregarious
communal
Solitary
No cooperation
most common system among carnivores
only mother-offspring bonds *until independence, few days to couple years
*doesnt mean theyre alone
Pair living
usually breeding pair holding a territory, most common among canids
Gregarious
year long groups of individuals not territorial. rare in carnivores, most common among large herbivores
communal
breeding pair or more with helpers beyond dependent young, usually territorial but not always - most famous cases in carnivores, but very rare
socio-spatial gradient
where species actually fall on the gradient depends on environment, competitors, etc.
Determinants of group living
habitat, size of prey, protection from predation, defense of resources, phylogenetic inertia
phylogenetic inertia
individuals are confined to their heritage (weasels)
Resource dispersion hypothesis
developed to explain variation in social behavior in solitary species such as red foxes.
Dispersal
permanent movement from one location to another
what are the hypothesis for dispersal
inbreeding avoidance
limited resources
intrafamily strife
multilvel fission - fusion social system
highly complex social systems, long lived intelligent animals
cropping by herding species can
concentrate forage biomass, stimulate productivity, enhances nutrient content
7 types of disease
viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, plants, arthropods
why is it important we understand disease?
regulate populations, structure communities, cause population decline, drive evolution, influence human health
what pattern of decline might indicate disease?
age class die offs, reduced reprodutive output, pattern of declines indicative of pathogen spread, unusal clinical signs, spatial diffusion, lack of correlation with climatic factors?
How does aspect ratio of wing influence bat flight?
Aspect ratio; High (long, narrow = fast flight less maneuverability)
Low (short, broad wings = slower flight, more maneuverability)
how does wing loading affect bat flight?
high (larger bodied bat= stronger faster flight) Low (smaller bodied bat=more lift; slower flight)
what can bats determine from returning sound waves?
size(angle), direction(timing, angle, patterns), distance and speed(timing and strength)
