Campbell Chapter 51 - Behavioral Ecology, Learning, Mating Systems, and Inclusive Fitness (Vocabulary)

36 vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms from Campbell Chapter 51: behavioral ecology, learning, mating systems, and inclusive fitness.

Behavioral ecology

The study of the ecological and evolutionary basis for animal behavior.

Fixed action pattern (FAP)

An unlearned, inherited sequence of actions that is triggered by a sign stimulus and completed once started.

Sign stimulus

External trigger that initiates a fixed action pattern.

Tinbergen’s stickleback study

Classic demonstration that a red stimulus acts as a sign stimulus to trigger a fixed action pattern—aggressive behavior—in sticklebacks.

Migration

Regular, long-distance movement between habitats in response to seasonal cues.

Circadian clock

Internal biological clock that keeps track of ~24-hour cycles.

Circadian rhythm

Daily behavioral/physiological patterns governed by the circadian clock.

Stomata opening

Circadian-regulated opening of leaf stomata in plants; an example of a plant circadian behavior.

Nocturnal activity

Activity patterns of nocturnal animals that follow circadian rhythms.

Sun-position navigation

Using the sun's position, in combination with the circadian clock, to orient during migration.

Earth’s magnetic field navigation

Navigation using Earth's magnetic field during migration.

Bee dances

Communication dances performed by honeybees to convey food location to hive mates.

Round dance

Bee dance signaling nearby food sources with little directional information.

Waggle dance

Bee dance indicating direction and distance to a food source.

Pheromones

Chemical signals used for communication about mating, territory, danger, etc.

Innate behavior

Behavior that is inherited genetically and not learned.

Learned behavior

Behavior that arises from experience and environmental interaction.

Imprinting

Learning process where young animals form attachments during a sensitive period.

Sensitive period

Time window during which imprinting or learning occurs most readily.

Critical period

A specific sensitive period often referenced in song learning and other skills.

Konrad Lorenz imprinting study

Goslings imprint on the first moving object they see, demonstrating imprinting.

Whooping crane reintroduction costumes

Crane costumes used by researchers to prevent hatchlings from imprinting on humans.

Spatial learning

Learning the layout of an environment to locate resources and avoid danger.

Classical conditioning

Learning to associate a neutral stimulus with a meaningful stimulus (Pavlov).

Operant conditioning

Learning to associate a behavior with a reward or punishment.

Pavlov

Ivan Pavlov, pioneer of classical conditioning.

Cognition

Mental processes such as problem solving, planning, and decision making in animals.

Tool use by crows

Crows' ability to use tools demonstrates advanced cognition.

Bird song critical period

A period during which birds must hear their species' song to learn it properly.

Foraging behavior

How animals search for, identify, and obtain food.

Optimal foraging theory

Idea that animals maximize net energy gained per unit time while minimizing costs and risks.

Promiscuity

Mating system with no lasting pair bonds or exclusive mating.

Monogamy

One male paired with one female, often with parental care.

Polygamy

One individual mates with multiple partners.

Polyandry

One female mates with multiple males.

Polygyny

One male mates with multiple females.