Lecture week11 (11-2) - Notes Animal Form and Function

Plasticity (flexibility)

The ability for a trait to change based on environmental conditions.

Selective pressure

The influence of the environment on the survival and reproduction of organisms.

Environmental variability

Different environments demand different adaptations.

Ex: an animal can’t master terrestrial life without compromising aquatic life.

What’s necessary in order to become larger to escape predation or to increase one’s competitive edge against other species?

1. Multicellularity

2. Cell specialization

3. Organ systems

Generalists vs. specialists

Organisms that can adapt to a wide range of conditions vs. those specialized for specific conditions.

A generalists is good in everything and a master of nothing.

Herbivores, Omnivores, and Carnivores

Different types of animals based on their primary energy sources.

E.g. a lion can’t eat grass

A cow can’t eat another herbivore

No plant can eat other species, and no animal can photosynthesize.

Digestive System

Breakdown of larger compounds into smaller, useable ones.

Digestive systems of carnivores are simpler than those of herbivores.

Storing energy

The process of storing energy for later use.

Endothermy vs. ectothermy

Different strategies for regulating body temperature.

Endotherm: able to regulate their body temperature by producing heat within the body, they have more complex lungs for greater oxygen usage.

Ectotherm: relies primarily on its externa, environment to regulate the temperature of its body.

Respiratory System

The system responsible for bringing in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.

Cardiovascular System

The system responsible for transporting nutrients, wastes, and gases throughout the body.

Surface to volume ratio

The ratio between an organism's surface area and its volume.

Survival strategies

Different ways animals can avoid predation.

1. Being unappealing to predators

2. Being hard to find

3. Running away

Aposematic coloration

Bright coloration that acts as a warning to predators.

Cryptic coloration

Camouflage that helps animals blend into their environment.

Batesian mimicry

Mimicking the appearance of a toxic or unpalatable species to deter predators.

Flight initiation distance

The distance at which prey will flee from a predator.

Can be affected by:

Prey condition

Predator condition

Refuge

Signalling

The process by which animals communicate with potential mates through visual, auditory, chemical, or tactile cues.

Visual Signalling

A form of courtship behaviour where animals use visual displays, such as building structures or decorating objects, to attract mates.

Auditory Signalling

A form of courtship behaviour where animals use vocalizations, such as birdsong, to attract and secure mates.

Chemical Signalling

A form of courtship behaviour where animals release pheromones into the environment to find and attract mates.

Tactile Signalling

A form of courtship behaviour where animals use physical contact or movements, such as producing ripples on water surfaces, to communicate with potential mates.

Mating System

The pattern of mating behavior within a species, which can be monogamous (mate with only one male/female), polygamous (mate with more than one female), or polyandrous (mate with more than one male).

Reproductive Success

The ability of an organism to produce a large number of reproducing offspring within its lifetime.

Trade-off

The compromise between different traits or resources, such as quality vs. quantity of offspring production, that organisms face in order to maximize their reproductive success.

Trait Evolution

The process by which traits or characteristics change over time through natural selection, often involving compromises rather than perfection.

Parental Investment

The amount of time, energy, and resources that parents allocate to the care and upbringing of their offspring, which can influence reproductive success.

By increasing size and therefore decreasing surface area what happens?

1. Heat loss rate decreases

2. Dehydration rate decreases

3. Number of predators decreases

4. The number of shelter options decreases but it’s need also decreases

5. The absolute amount of food and water needed by a larger individual increases.

Mullerian mimicry

1. the theory being that if a predator learns to avoid one of the noxious species, it will avoid the mimic species as well.