LEC 11: Behavioural Ecology

These flashcards cover key concepts, terminology, and definitions in behavioural ecology to aid in exam preparation.

Behavioural Ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment mediated by behavior.

Adaptive Behaviour

A behaviour that increases the fitness of an organism and is selected for over generations.

Fitness

The number of offspring contributed by an individual relative to others in the population.

Intraspecific Variation

Variation in behavior within a species.

Interspecific Variation

Variation in behavior between different species.

Cooperation

A mutual benefit interaction where both donor and recipient benefit.

Altruism

An act that benefits the recipient but harms the donor.

Selfishness

An act that benefits the donor but not the recipient.

Spite

A behavior where neither the donor nor recipient benefits.

Inclusive Fitness

An individual's overall fitness, including the fitness of its relatives.

Reciprocal Altruism

A situation where a donor helps a recipient with the expectation of future reciprocation.

Hamilton's Rule

A principle that altruism is likely when the genetic relatedness and benefits outweigh costs.

Coefficient of Relationship (Rg)

The probability that the alleles at a locus are identical by descent among individuals.

Genetic Basis of Behaviour

Natural selection can only act on behaviour if it has a genetic basis.

Eusociality

Highly complex social behavior characterized by cooperative care of young and division into castes.

Kin Selection

A form of natural selection where individuals increase fitness by aiding relatives.

Sociality

The living together of individuals in groups that involve cooperation.

Cooperative Breeders

Species where several adults help care for offspring.

Group Selection

The idea that individuals may sacrifice their own fitness for the group benefit.

Manipulation

When the donor does not recognize it is being parasitized.

Social Interaction

A behavior that affects the fitness outcomes of individuals involved.

Bees and Foraging Behavior

Foraging behavior in bees is influenced by a single gene related to a protein kinase.

Natural Selection

The process by which behaviors that enhance fitness are favored.

Alarm Calling

A behavior that alerts kin to the presence of predators, potentially risking the caller.

Mutual Grooming

A social behavior where individuals groom one another, enhancing cooperation.

Alloparenting

When individuals care for offspring that are not their own.

European Badger Behavior

Behavior that spreads pathogens to non-kin and reflects spite.

Cowbird Strategy

The act of obligate brood parasitism, laying eggs in the nests of other birds.

Clownfish Teamwork

An example of remarkable cooperation and teamwork in animal behavior.

Relatedness in Eusocial Species

High degree of relatedness in colonies promotes kin selection.

Haplodiploidy

A system where females are diploid and males are haploid, influencing relatedness among siblings.

Social Groups in Animals

Groups of animals characterized by cooperation and mutual benefit.

Defense of the Social Group

Cooperative behaviors aimed at protecting the group from threats.