Advanced higher biology key area 2.1 ( field techniques for biologists)

Anthropomorphism

The attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to an animals behaviour

Arthropods

Joint-legged invertebrates that are idenified by their segmemeted body

Chordates

Seq squirts and vertebrates, for example, birds mammals, reptiles, and fish

Convergent evolution

The independent evolution of similar features in different species

Divergent evolution

The process whereby groups from the same common ancestor evolve and accumulate differences, forming a new species

Duration

The length of time each behaviour occurs during an observation period

Elusive species

Species that are difficult to see because of their habitat, behaviour or rarity

Ethogram

List species specific behaviours to be observed with a period of observation

Frequency

The number of times a behaviour occurs within the period of observation

Hazard

Any source of potential risk on an individual

Indicator species

Species, by that their presence, absense or abundance, can give information about an environmental factor

Latency

The time between the stimulus occurring and the response behaviour

Mark and re-capture

A method for estimating a population size

Model organisms

Organisms that are either easily studied or have been well studied to provide information that can be applied to other species that where more difficult to study

Naematodes

Also called roundworms, unsegmeted thread like body, many of them are parasitic

Phylogenetic

The study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms

Point count

Sampling technique that involves the observer recording all individuals seen from a fixed location

Quadrat

Square frame of known area for sampling sessile organisms along a belt transect

Remote detection

Ability to show an animals presence from a distance ( using a camera, trap, or scat)

Risk

The likelihood of harm arising from exposure to a hazard

Risk assessment

Involves identifying risks and control measures to minimise them

Scat sampling

Sampling technique used for elusive species whereby animal droppings are collected to provide information about species abundance and diet

Taxonomy

The identification and naming of organisms, and their classification into groups, based on shared charachteritics

Terrain

Physical geography of the land

Time budget

The amount or proportion of time that animals spend in different behaviours, or in performing different classes of behaviour

Transect

A line or belt across a habitat or a part of a habitat along which the number of organisms of each species can be overhead and recorded at regular intervals