Optimality Theory Flashcards
What is a type of antipredator behaviour that involves running away?
Flee
What is a type of antipredator behaviour that involves remaining motionless?
Freezing
What is a type of antipredator behaviour characterized by unpredictable movements?
Unpredictability
What is a type of antipredator behaviour that involves protective outer layers?
Armour
What is a type of antipredator behaviour that includes sharp projections?
Spines
What is a type of offensive behaviour that involves blending into the environment?
Camouflage
What is a type of offensive behaviour that creates disorientation in predators?
Confusion effects
What is a type of offensive behaviour that involves concealing oneself?
Hiding/seeking cover
What is a type of offensive behaviour that involves living in groups for safety?
Safety in numbers
What is Optimality Theory?
It attempts to predict the combination of costs and benefits that will ultimately maximize an individual’s inclusive fitness.
What are the different foraging types?
Organisms possess various behavioral, morphological, and physiological adaptations related to diet:
- Herbivores
- Frugivores (fruit eaters)
- Foliovores (leaf eaters)
- Omnivores
- Carnivores
- Insectivores
- Granivores (seed eaters)
- Piscivores (fish eaters)
- Detritivores (dead + decaying matter eaters)
What are the predator strategies?
- Active searching (foraging)
- Waiting for prey (lie in wait)
- Stalk + ambush
- Chase + pursuit
- Intercept flight path
- Exhaust prey
- Tool use
- Communal hunting
- Defend food source
What is an example of tool use in animals?
Sea otters balance rocks on their ventrum and bash shellfish to open them.
Other examples include Egyptian vultures dropping rocks on ostrich eggs, chimps using twigs for termites, and woodpecker finches using cactus spines.
What characterizes social carnivores?
Cooperative hunts are twice as successful and rely on teamwork.
- Females do most hunting, males eat first, and cubs eat last.
