Chapter 35 - Behavioral Adaptations

Behavior

organism response to internal and external cues. Not all behavior is observable.

Behavioral ecology

the study of behavior in an evolutionary context.

Proximate Questions

What is the immediate reason for the behavior? Physiological. Anatomical. Genetic.

Proximate Causes

Are the mechanisms for a behavior

Ultimate Questions

Why does this behavior occur at all? Behaviors are adaptations shaped by natural selection.

Ultimate Causes

Are evolutionary explanations

Fixed Action Patterns

Innate behavior under strong genetic control. All members of the species perform the behavior similarly. Initiated by a sign stimulus. Once initiated, the sequence is performed in its entirety, regardless of changes in circumstances.

Nature vs Nurture

Genetics vs Upbringing

Transcription

(genetics) the organic process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA

Translation

(genetics) the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm

Gene Expression

the process by which genetic information is converted to a product like a protein. Purpose is to produce a phenotype.

Gene regulation

is turning genes on and off. Purpose is to conserve energy.

Genetically Controlled Behaviors

learning, memory, internal clocks, courtship and mating

Environmentally controlled behavior…

would differ wildly across populations in different environments.

Learning

is a modification of behavior as a result of your experiences. Habituation, imprinting, spatial, associative, social, problem solving.

Habituation

Animal learns not to respond to a repeated stimulus that conveys little or no info

Ultimate Causation (Habituation)

Habituation increases fitness by allowing nervous system to focus on important stimuli. Don't waste time on things irrelevant to survival and reproduction.

Imprinting

Learning limited to a specific time period in an animal's life (sensitive period)

Ultimate Causation (Imprinting)

for young it increases chance of survival. for adults it increases change of successful reproduction.

Spatial Learning

Establish memories of important landmarks (food/mates/nests)

Kinesis

(innate behavior) is random, non-directional movement in response to a stimulus.

Taxis

(innate behavior) is directional movement in response to a stimulus (toward/away).

Associative Learning

The ability to associate two or more components in your environment. Feature with feature (big trees=more fruit). Stimulus with outcome (training and trial & error)

Social Learning

Learning by observing the behavior of others (observation and imitation)

Problem Solving Behaviors

Cognition & Problem Solving. Applying past experiences to overcome obstacles in new situations.

Cognition

Process carried out by the nervous system. Perceive stimulus. Integrate knowledge. Use info gathered.

Foraging

Food-obtaining behavior

Generalist Species

Switch diet to forage most abundant resources

Specialist Species

rely on one food source. Don't eat other foods.

Search Image

mental picture of desired food. Trade-offs in food selection. Behavioral ecologists use a cost-benefit analysis to compare the trade-offs. Optimal Foraging Model.

Optimal Foraging Model

an animal's feeding behavior should provide max energy gain with minimal energy cost and minimal risk of dying. Forage in groups. Hunt in groups.

Diurnal Animals

most active during the day. Use visual and auditory communication for survival.

Nocturnal Animals

animals that are active at night. Use auditory and olfactory signals for survival/communication

Aquatic Animals

use visual, auditory, or electrical signals for survival/communication

The Honeybee "Waggle Dance"

visual and auditory signals for survival/communication

Communication

sending, receiving, and responding to signals from other animals

Mating Goal

pass on your genes

Courtship Behavior

communication between potential mates and/or communicate with potential rivals for a mate

Species specific courtship behavior prevents

hybridization

Reproductive Success equals

Viable offspring

Promiscuous

No strong pair bonds or lasting relationships, mate randomly. Paternity is never certain-avoid infanticide. Increases genetic diversity. (sharks)

Monogamous

One male mating with one female for at least one season. (Penguins) Advantageous when offspring require a lot of parental care (healthier offspring). female can make sure male does not have other offspring hers would have to compete with.

Polygamous

An individual of one sex mating with several of the other. (Gorillas and lions) Polygyny and Polyandry.

Polygyny

1 male multiple females. Female performs parental care. Males can produce many offspring. Females are picky about which male to mate.

Polyandry

1 female many males. It's expensive for female to reproduce. Role reversal (males take care of young)

Intraspecies Interaction

interaction between 2+ animals of the same species. Hunt/forage in groups is cooperative. Defend Territory fight for your individual fitness.

Territoriality

the defense of a bounded physical space against encroachment by other individuals. Territories used for feeding, mating, rearing young.

Agnostic Behavior

non-aggressive combat for limited resources. test of strength/posing. violent combat too costly. may injure the victor. waste energy/venom/poison. winning earns exclusive access to resource (mate/food/etc.)

Dominance Hierarchy

ranking individuals based on social interactions. Usually 1 top individual who leads others to food/shelter/etc. Alpha gets first access to resources (generally mates). Alpha male/female. Pecking order