The How and Why of Animal Behaviour

Question 1

What is behaviour

Answer 1

the change in activity of an organism in response to a stimulus

Question 2

What is proximate causation

Answer 2

Mechanisms directly underlying the behaviour
- how

Question 3

What is ultimate causation

Answer 3

The effects of behaviour on fitness
- why

Question 4

What is a pheromone

Answer 4

Chemical signals, carriers of information between individuals within a species

Question 5

what is agonistic behaviour

Answer 5

Behaviours which cause, threaten to cause, or seek to reduce physical damage = threats, aggression, submission

Question 6

what are aphids

Answer 6

• small insects that tap phloem in plants with stylet
• communicate with others by pheromones

Question 7

What are the responses to alarm pheromone

Answer 7

1. no response
2. agitated (not withdrawing from plant)
3. remove stylet and walk away
4. remove stylet and drop