Sensory Ecology

Question 1

What Is sensory ecology ?

Answer 1

The study of the unique sensory systems possessed by organisms which are uniquely optimised for their particular ecologies.

Question 2

Give 3 examples of how senses are used by organisms

Answer 2

Detection of a mate or prey
Escaping the attention of predator
Monitoring the surrounding habitat.

Question 3

Describe the perception of our world.

Answer 3

Consistent
Convincing
Workable.

Question 4

Our vision is similar to the production of an image in a camera
True or False ?

Answer 4

False.
Images projected into the retina
are decomposed into elements (neurons)
Then Recomposed in the visual cortex.

Question 5

Where are all objects of vison placed ?

Answer 5

On the Canvas of our mind.

Question 6

What is our perception of the world limited to ?

Answer 6

The information provided by our senses

Question 7

Which other organisms have a concept of 3D space ?

Answer 7

Other 3D organisms, move through habitat

Question 8

Do 2D organisms have a perception of 3D space ?

Answer 8

It is unknown, though to be unlikely.

Question 9

What senses detect the physical stimulus of electromagnetic waves ?

Answer 9

Vision and thermoreception

.

Question 10

What senses detect the physical stimulus of Mechanical stimuli ?

Answer 10

Hearing, touch, thermoreception

i.e Snakes, use thermo-infrared sensor to detect prey by heat

Question 11

What senses detect the physical stimulus of Chemical stimuli ?

Answer 11

Taste and smell

i.e Sift air molecules to find mates using antennae

Question 12

What senses detect the physical stimulus of Electrical fields ?

Answer 12

Electroreception

i.e Hammer head use these waves to detect prey

Question 13

What senses detect the physical stimulus of Magnetic fields ?

Answer 13

Magnetorecepetion.

i.e Wood pigeon, use mag, sense to travel great distances

Question 14

Give the sensory adaption of the Fennec Fox.

Answer 14

Large ears

Enable listening for prey (insect) footsteps on the sand

Question 15

Give the sensory adaption of the jumping spider

Answer 15

Large eyes facing forward

Used to judge distance and leap at prey.

Question 16

Define active sensors.

Answer 16

Probe the environment with self-generated energy and analyse how the environment modifies the outgoing energy.

Question 17

Define passive sensors

Answer 17

Collect information using available energy

Question 18

Give an example of an active sensor.

Answer 18

Echolocation- emit sounds and then listen to the echoes

Question 19

Give an example of passive sensors.

Answer 19

detection of sunlight and ambient sounds

Question 20

Give the 3 sources of information in our world.

Answer 20

Ourselves (internal state)
Environment (& us in it)
Others

Question 21

How can communication signals affect behaviour ?

Answer 21

They can modify, trigger or stop behaviour.

Question 22

What is the purpose of signals ?

Answer 22

Announce species, sex & age
Broadcast presence and location
Indicate current status of sender (dominance, activity)
Change status of social unit (warning) 
Near field interactions.

Question 23

What are the costs of sending and receiving communication signals ?

Answer 23

Increased Predation risk
increased Parasitism risk
Energy requirement

Question 24

Why will communication occur ?

Answer 24

When the benefits of communication outweigh the costs.

Question 25

What is the benefit of being able to change your broadcasting range ?

Answer 25

Enables exclusion of potential receivers.