Behavioural Ecology: Understanding Animal Interactions

Behaviour

Animal's response to environmental cues.

Behavioural Ecology

Study of interactions within populations and ecosystems.

Fixed Action Patterns (FAPs)

Unchangeable action sequences triggered by stimuli.

Innate Behaviour

Behaviour under genetic control, consistent across species.

Phenotype

Observable physical properties of an organism.

Foraging

Searching for and exploiting food resources.

Fighting

Aggressive interactions between individuals.

Communicating

Exchanging information through signals or cues.

Mating

Reproductive behaviors to attract partners.

Environmental Cues

External factors influencing animal behaviour.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components affecting ecosystems, like temperature.

Sex Determination

Process influenced by environmental factors like temperature.

Yawning

Fixed action pattern seen in many species.

Soil Horizon of Leaching

Layer with poor soil due to nutrient loss.

Tropical Rain Forests

Biomes characterized by high humidity and biodiversity.

Terrestrial Biomes

Major land ecosystems defined by climate and vegetation.

Learning Characteristics

Ways animals acquire new behaviours through experience.

Population Implications

Effects of individual behaviours on group dynamics.

Community Implications

Influence of behaviours on species interactions.

Key Life Processes

Essential behaviours for survival and reproduction.

Stimulus

Any event or object that elicits a response.

Experience

Past interactions that shape future behaviours.

Nature

Genetics and abiotic environmental factors influencing behavior.

Nurture

Experiences from parents and individuals shaping behavior.

Learning

Modification of behavior due to specific experiences.

Habituation

Decline in response to repeated stimulus exposure.

Imprinting

Learning during a sensitive period, usually irreversible.

Kinesis

Random movement in response to environmental stimuli.

Taxis

Directed movement toward or away from a stimulus.

Spatial Learning

Establishing landmarks for navigation and resource location.

Associative Learning

Linking a stimulus or behavior with a specific response.

Classical Conditioning

Associating an arbitrary stimulus with an outcome.

Social Learning

Learning by observing and imitating others' behaviors.

Cognition

Processing and using information gathered through senses.

Problem Solving

Using past experiences to navigate new challenges.

Behavior

Result of genetic and environmental interactions.

Foraging

Searching, recognizing, capturing, and consuming food.

Generalists

Organisms that consume a wide variety of foods.

Specialists

Organisms that feed on specific food types only.

Optimal Foraging Theory

Balancing energy intake with expenditure during foraging.

Animal Movement

Behavioral responses to environmental stimuli.

Conservation Programs

Initiatives aimed at protecting species and habitats.

Essential Life Processes

Key activities like foraging, fighting, communicating, mating.

Signal

Stimulus transmitted between animals.

Communication

Sending, receiving, and responding to signals.

Agonistic behavior

Confrontational interactions, rarely harmful.

Hierarchy establishment

Dominance determined through posturing.

Kermode bear

Spirit bear subspecies of American black bear.

Harmonic chorus

Wolves harmonize to create illusion of numbers.

Olfactory communication

Use of scent for signaling among wolves.

Infrasound

Sound waves below human hearing range.

Post-copulatory sequence

Grunts signaling female condition after mating.

Fixed Action Patterns (FAPs)

Innate behaviors triggered by specific stimuli.

Mating systems

Patterns of reproductive behavior among species.

Promiscuous mating

No strong pair bond or lasting relationship.

Monogamous mating

One male and one female share parental care.

Polygyny

One male mates with multiple females.

Polyandry

One female mates with multiple males.

Courtship rituals

Behaviors confirming species and mating readiness.

Sneaker males

Males that use stealth to mate.

Environmental influences

Factors affecting animal behavior and interactions.

Genetic influences

Inherited traits impacting behavior.

Social Learning

Learning through observation of others.

Problem Solving

Cognitive ability to find solutions.

Foraging behavior

Strategies animals use to find food.

Fighting behavior

Aggressive interactions for dominance or mating.