Animal Behavior Midterm 1

Some Terms ..

Behavior Phenotype (P)

P= G+E+G*E

Comparative Method

Comparisons bw pairs of closely related species that exhibit variation in a particular behavioral trait

Fixed Action Pattern (FAP)

A stereotyped, instinctive behavior that, once triggered by a specific stimulus, is carried out to completion without variation.

Innate releasing mechanisms (IRM)

When the sign stimulus is recognized and activates the FAP

Left Hemisphere

Focus on cues that separate pertinent stimuli from distracting stimuli

Right Hemisphere

Has broad attention

Controls fear & escape responses

Categories of receptors

electromagnetic

Mechanoreceptors

chemoreceptors

thermoreceptors

nociceptors

General categories of Behavior

1) Taxes

2)Reflexes

3) Instinctive

4) Learning

5)Reasoning

Neurons

Transmit an electrical impulse

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals used to excite or moderate synaptic transmission of nerve impulses

Glia

Non-neuronal cells that surround and insulate individual neurons

Engrams

The postulated chemical or physical or location in the brain that can occur when memories are formed or retrieved

Taxes

Direct orientation of an organism in respect to particular stimuli - positive geotaxis/phototaxis

Reflexes

Responses of part of the body to a stimulus

Instinctive

Simple or complex behaviors that are stereotyped for a species

Learning

Development of a novel or functional response based on previous experience

- habituation, classical conditioning, trial & error learning

Reasoning

Ability to solve complex problems by more than trial and error and stimulus

Light sensors

Ocelli

Balance sensors

Statocysts

Chemical sensors

olfaction

Touch sensors

Sensory lappets

Neurons from mammals, fish, amphibians, etc. originated from?

The basic plan of brain

Cerebellum- coordinates motor activity

Interpreting causes for behavioral differences among individuals

A. Proximate causes

B. Ultimate causes

C. Genetic Influences on behavior

D. Behavioral influences on gene expression (epigenetics)

E. Environmental influences on behavior

A. Proximate

a) Genetic and environmental influence on development

b) Sensory-motor systems

B. Ultimate Causes

a) Historical pathways leading to current behavior

b)Types of natural selection shaping the behavior

Hamilton-Zuk hypothesis

Proposes that the bright colors displayed by many species serve as a signal of individual resistance to parasites

C. Genetic Influences & behavior 

1) Behavioral differences with changes in a single or few genes 

2) Behavioral differences among hybrids between cricket species 

3) Parent-offspring correlations & twin studies 

4) Artificial selection experiments

Ascribed genes

Genes that are inherited & expressed based on an individual’s genetic makeup, not influenced by the environment.

Domestication Syndrome 

A set of traits that are products of artificial selection for increased tolerance towards humans  

Epigenetic 

Study of how the environment can affect the genome of the individual during its development and the development of its descendants

• without changing DNA sequence 

Foraging conservatism 

A shift in the feeding niche in the direction of the foster species 

E: Environmental influences on behavior 

1. Can influence kin recognition, vocalizations, foraging, learning, and neurogenesis

2. Aggression