Testing Hypotheses In Behavioural Ecology (Sexual Segregation) Flashcards
List the stages in which one can approach the study of behaviour? (4) [IN ORDER]
• Observations.
• Hypotheses.
• Predictions.
• Tests.
Main ways in which one’s idea can be tested? (3)
• Comparison between individuals within a species.
• Experiments.
• Comparison among species.
Comparison between individuals within a species attributes? (2)
• Observational.
• Difficult to deal with confounding variables.
How do we tackle confounding variables when Comparing between individuals within a species?
Choose two populations that are similar with similar environments.
Pros of Comparison between individuals within a species? (2)
• No manipulation.
• Less costly.
Con of Comparison between individuals within a species?
• Can’t control all potential confounding variables
Experiments/Experimentation attributes? (2)
• Allows isolation of factors for comparison.
• Not just lab work.
Pro of Experiments?
• Control confounding variables.
Cons of Experiments? (2)
• Risk manipulation of results.
• More costly.
Comparison among species attribute?
Looking at the results of a long-term experiment done by NS.
Pro of Comparison among species?
Less costly.
Con of Comparison among species?
Time-consuming.
Sexual segregation?
= when females & males within species tend to segregate outside of the breeding/mating season.
Types of sexual segregation? (2)
• Habitat segregation.
• Social segregation.
Hypotheses/explanations under Habitat segregation? (2)
• Predation-risk hypothesis.
• Foraging preference hypothesis.
Hypotheses/explanations under Social segregation? (3)
• Social preference hypothesis.
• Activity budget hypothesis.
• Aggression hypothesis.
Predation risk hypothesis?
= based on the risk of being predated on.
Predation risk hypothesis attributes? (2)
• Males seek high risk, high energy areas.
• Females seek safety first.
Why do males seek high risk, high energy areas in Predation risk hypothesis?
It’s because they have high energy requirements (B>C).
Why do females seek safety first in Predation risk hypothesis?
It’s because they are often with young & would even compromise quality food (B>C).
Predation risk hypothesis papers? (2)
• Kohlman et al, 1996.
• Mooring et al 2003.
Egs of Predation risk hypothesis? (2)
• Nubian ibex.
• Desert bighorn sheep.
Foraging preference hypothesis attributes? (3)
• Males need quantity.
• Females seek higher quality food.
• Quality vs Quantity.
Why do females seek higher quality food? (2)
• Smaller body size.
• Lower digestive efficiency.
Why do males seek high quantity food? (2)
• Large body size.
• Higher digestive efficiency.
Foraging preference hypothesis paper?
Smith et al, 2007.
Smith et al, 2007 summary? (2)
● Bulls are more widely scattered across Kruger looking for quantity vegetation.
● Females & young have higher nutritional requirements per unit body mass.
Eg of Forgaing preference hypothesis?
Elephants.
Kohlman et al, 1996 summary? (3)
● Speaks on the Predation risk hypothesis in Nubian ibexes.
● Females with young foraged in safer areas even though they comprised the quality of food they foraged.
● Females without young (young in nurseries) foraged small groups in high risk areas that enabled them to get high quality food.
Mooring et al, 2003 summary? (3)
● Speaks on Predation risk hypothesis in Desert bighorn sheep.
● Rams went to forage in places with more food (high energy, high risk areas).
● Ewes went to rugged terrain regardless of whether those areas had good quality food or not, safety was prioritized.