Bio Lessons 19-21

Proximate Causation

Explains how a behavior occurs internally, focusing on internal mechanisms such as brain activity, hormones, and nerves.

Physiological Analysis

Looks at current/internal states of animals, like hormone levels and neural activity.

Ontogeny (Development)

Investigates how behavior develops in individual organisms.

Ultimate Causation

Explains why a behavior is advantageous in certain environments and how it is inherited.

Phylogeny

Studies how a behavior evolved in related species.

Adaptive Significance

Asks how behaviors help with survival and reproduction in specific environments.

Ethology

General study of animal behavior often focusing on proximate causation.

Behavioral Ecology

Focuses on how behavior contributes to survival and reproduction, emphasizing ultimate causation.

Associative Learning

A type of learning where an animal associates stimuli or a stimulus with a response.

Classical (Pavlovian) Conditioning

Associates two unrelated stimuli, exemplified by Pavlov’s dogs salivating to a bell.

Operant Conditioning

Associates a behavior with a consequence, either a reward or punishment.

Animal Communication

Process where actors use signals to modify the behavior of reactors.

Acoustic Communication

Use of vocal signals in animal communication.

Visual Communication

Use of visual signals like body language or colors in animal communication.

Chemical Communication

Use of chemical signals or pheromones to communicate in animals.

Vibrational Communication

Communication through vibrations, often seen in insects.

Tactile Communication

Communication through touch, such as grooming.

Courtship Displays

Species-specific behavior that helps prevent cross-species mating.

Altruism in Behavioral Biology

Behavior that increases another’s reproduction at a cost to one's own survival.

Mutualism

Both parties benefit from the interaction.

Manipulation

One species tricks another into providing help.

Reciprocity

Helping is paid back later, requiring recognition of individuals.

Kin Selection

Helping relatives increase inclusive fitness by aiding the reproduction of shared genes.

Direct Fitness

Fitness gained from one's own reproduction.

Indirect Fitness

Fitness gained from helping relatives reproduce.

Inclusive Fitness

Sum of direct and indirect fitness.

Group Living

Social organization where animals live and interact closely.

Aggregations

Random gatherings of individuals without structured relationships.

Social Groups

Stable relationships among individuals, like baboon troops.

Colonies

Social and physical structures formed by groups, e.g. prairie dog towns.

Dominance Hierarchy

Linear rank ordering within a group that reduces conflict.

Communication in Social Animals

Vital for coordinating group behavior and maintaining social bonds.

Eusociality

Extreme social behavior, characterized by cooperative brood care and reproductive division of labor.

Selfishness in Animal Behavior

When an animal acts primarily in its own interest, even within social groups.

Behavioral Trade-Offs

Decisions animals make based on cost-benefit analysis.

Ecology

The study of how organisms interact with each other and their abiotic environment.

Population Ecology

Study of populations, their characteristics, and how they change over time.

Metapopulation

A collection of populations that have limited interaction.

Distribution of Individuals

The spacing pattern of individuals within a population.

Population Density

The number of individuals per unit area.

Demography

The quantitative study of populations.

Fecundity

The number of offspring produced in a given time period.

Mortality

The number of individuals that die in a specific period.

Exponential Growth Model

Population growth model assuming unlimited resources and constant reproduction.

Logistic Growth Model

Population growth model accounting for carrying capacity limitations.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum number of individuals an environment can sustain.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors that affect population growth based on population density.

Density-Independent Factors

Factors that affect population regardless of its density.

Allee Effect

Positive feedback at low density where increased density leads to increased growth.

K-selected Species

Species living near carrying capacity with traits such as long lifespan and few offspring.

r-selected Species

Species that thrive in unstable environments, exhibiting traits like short lifespan and many offspring.

Human Population Growth

Historical and recent trends in human population size and growth rate.

Age Structure Graphs

Visual representations of population distribution by age and sex.

Community Ecology

The study of how different species interact with each other in a given area.

Species Richness

The number of different species in a community.

Species Diversity

Measure that considers both richness and relative abundance.

Ecological Niche

Total ways an organism uses resources in its environment.

Fundamental Niche

The full range of resources a species could theoretically use.

Realized Niche

The actual resources a species uses considering competition.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species for the same resources.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

No two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely if resources are limited.

Resource Partitioning

Dividing a niche to avoid competition between species.

Character Displacement

Evolutionary changes that reduce niche overlap between competing species.

Predation

One organism consumes another for food.

Coevolution

Reciprocal evolutionary change between predators and prey.

Morphological Defenses

Defensive adaptations in plants against herbivory, like thorns or spikes.

Chemical Defenses

Secondary metabolites in plants that deter herbivores.

Warning Coloration

Bright colors that signal toxicity to potential predators.

Cryptic Coloration

Camouflage that helps prey avoid detection.

Batesian Mimicry

Harmless species mimics a toxic one to avoid predation.

Müllerian Mimicry

Two or more toxic species resemble each other.

Mutualism

Symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Commensalism

One species benefits while the other is unaffected in a symbiotic relationship.

Keystone Species

Species whose impact is disproportionately greater than its abundance.

Ecological Succession

Gradual change in species composition in a community over time.

Primary Succession

occurs on bare substrate without any pre-existing organisms.

Secondary Succession

Occurs after a disturbance where some organisms remain.

Establishment Phase

Initial colonization by r-selected species in succession.

Facilitation Phase

Early species modify the habitat to support k-selected species.

Inhibition Phase

K-selected species prevent reestablishment of r-selected species.

Species Richness and Disturbance

Diversity is affected by disturbances that can maintain or alter community structure.