Behavioral Ecology - ALAN

What is circadian rhythm?

Self-sustaining biological rhythms; entrained by light to be exactly 24 hours. Synchronizes behaviors with environment

What is photoperiod?

Day length; organisms rely on seasonal changes in photoperiod to estimate of year to time life events like migration or reproduction

How is lunar light important to animals?

Animals may use moonless or cloudy nights to avoid predation during foraging, migration, or mating

What are three ways in which ALAN impacts animals?

1) Navigation

2) Predator-prey interactions and foraging behavior

3) Mating behavior

What is the difference between nocturnal, diurnal, and crepuscular animals in terms of activity?

Nocturnal animals are active at night. Ex: Bats, skunks, crickets, fireflies, and owls

Diurnal animals are active during the day. Ex: Humans and many songbirds

Crepuscular species are active at dawn and dusk. Ex: Deer and rabbits

How does ALAN impact navigation?

ALAN impedes animals’ ability to navigate in the sense that they may go off course/go the wrong the way

How does ALAN impact predator-prey interactions and foraging?

ALAN can increase or decrease foraging success in animals. There’s a dichotomy in that ALAN can make prey more visible for predators, but those same prey may end up spending less time foraging themselves and more time being vigilant/hiding from potential predators

How does ALAN impact mating behavior?

ALAN can interfere with females’ ability to find possible mates, where normally more ALAN is associated with poorer reproductive success. ALAN can also hormone synthesis related to circadian rhythm