Predator and anti-predator behaviour

Question 1

What is an evolutionary arms race?

Answer 1

Where two individuals from the same/different species compete, with adaptations improving over time and only the best adapted surviving

Question 2

Define the life-dinner principle

Answer 2

Different levels of selective pressure as for herbivores their life is at stake

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of being a specialist and a generalist?

Answer 3

specialist - can become dependent upon a species

generalist - sacrifice specific skills

Question 4

Which 3 mechanisms are used to select prey?

Answer 4

• genetic predisposition e.g snakes
• individual learning
• social learning from peers

Question 5

Which organisms are able to percieve the IR and UV spectrums?

Answer 5

IR - snakes

UV - bees

Question 6

What did Umwelt propose?

Answer 6

That the perceptual world in which an organisms exists and acts as a subject is important for the study of how animals see the world

Question 7

How can neuroanatomy show specialisation?

Answer 7

principle of proper mass - larger cortical sensory regions are associated with enhanced perception and discrimination

Question 8

Name 3 aids for prey capture

Answer 8

1. Anatomical adaptations e.g woodpecker
2. Tool assisted mechanisms
3. Cooperative hunting e.g grouper and marray eel

Question 9

What are primary anti-predator tactics?

Answer 9

Before an attack begins. Can be passive e.g. stillness, camouflage. Can be active e.g mimickry, alarm calling

Question 10

What are secondary anti-predator tactics?

Answer 10

After an attack. Can be passive e.g playing dead or active e.g fly, chemical defence, mobbing

Question 11

What is taste aversion?

Answer 11

• Taste associated with nausea/sickness/vomitting
• Can be learnt in 1 trial with rats (Garcia effect)
• Can tolerate a long interval between associations, clear adaptive value

Question 12

How does the revised model of predator-prey interactions differ from the classical model?

Answer 12

• More focus on populations than individuals
• Look at long-term effects
• Proximate aspects
• About BCN

Question 13

What are the characteristics of predator fear?

Answer 13

• Increased vigilance, reduced foraging, increased anxiety levels, altered dendritic morphology

Question 14

Which brain areas are associated with predator fear?

Answer 14

HPA axis (Hypothalamic-Pitruitary-Adrenocortical)

Question 15

What is the effect of acute and chronic predator fear?

Answer 15

acute: energy mobilization, fight/flight
chronic: reproductive suppression, depressed immune response, arrested growth and eventual premature death

Question 16

What developmental effects can predator cues have on vertebrates an invertebrates?

Answer 16

EPIGENETIC PROGRAMMING OF THE HPA AXIS

invertebrates: change body shape/size, body armature, chemical defenses, metamorphasis timing
vertebrates: more stressed, smaller size, more vigilant