Behavioral Ecology: A Summary AP Biology Spring 2011.
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Transcript of Behavioral Ecology: A Summary AP Biology Spring 2011.
Behavioral Ecology: A Summary
AP BiologySpring 2011
Animals react to different stimuli which are genetic in nature ◦ Experiments performed by mating two types of
garter snakes with different food preferences helped to prove this
◦ Fruit flies show an identified genetic marker to indicate if they are “rovers” or “sitters”
Hormone production, which is genetic, influences animal behavior◦ Studies were performed on voles relating to
oxytocin levels and animal’s preference for monogamy
◦ Additional studies indicated a link between antidiuretic hormone and promiscuity in voles
Mutations can cause changes in behavior◦ Mutation in fruit flies results in an inability to
perform normal courtship activities ◦ In mice a mutation relating to oxytocin receptors
results in subnormal maternal behavior
Animals are born with some instinctive behavior◦ Ex. Procedure by which cuckoo birds discard other
eggs in foster parents nests
Some animal behaviors are learned ◦ Imprinting is when a particular behavior is
learned during a certain time period ◦ Ex. Baby geese following any maternal type figure
when exposed at an early age ◦ There appears to be a window of opportunity for
birds to learn a species-specific song
Animals can learn throughout life based on a positive and negative reward system
Classical conditioning: an animal connecting two stimuli together when presented at the same time ◦ Pavlov’s dogs salivating due to the anticipation of
food
Operant conditioning: occurs when an animal changes his behavior based on a positive-negative reward system
Habituation: when an animal learns a behavior even though it has not been exposed to a reward system◦ Lobsters lean to recognize another lobster that
they have battled
Observational learning: occurs when an animal learns to mimic an activity performed by another animal
Organisms can adopt behavior that benefits the individual’s reproduction◦ Study showed that birds include wild carrot into
their nest construction materials to deter mite infestation
Animals use various means of communication to relay information to another of their species◦ Pheromones are chemical signals and often active
in mate selection◦ Animals emit auditory signals to signal
prospective mates or to warn other of danger ◦ Tactile display involves one individual
transmitting a message by touching another Bees waggle dance relates the distance and location
of a food source to other bees http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7ijI-g4jHg
Individuals often compete in various ways for mating privileges known as sexual selection ◦ Male hangflies must bring large gifts of food to
win over females ◦ Females observe the male fiddler crabs waving
their large claw◦ Male birds put on a colourful display to impress
females ◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKybAp--n7M
Many species involve parental care duties◦ Many birds and some mammals are cared for by
both parents◦ Young reptiles, with the exception of crocodiles,
do not require parental care
Often groups of animals deter predators ◦ Ex. Sawfish caterpillars and other animals such as
prairie dogs who give a warning call ◦ A selfish herd is when the members of a group of
animals tend to hide behind one another
Animals in groups may have advantageous feeding opportunities ◦ Group hunting may not actually provide more
food, but may be better for protection ◦ Animals in groups may learn behaviors from each
other like the utilization of tools in primates
Some animals establish hierarchies in their group structure ◦ Wolves develop packs and only the dominant
member can mate
In some circumstances, living in groups is disadvantageous◦ Groups may attract predators and spread
diseases more readily
Eusocial animals have developed a system where there are only a few breeding individuals◦ Insects that have this system: ants, termites,
bees◦ Other insects have auxiliary functions to support
the queen ◦ African mole-rats are the only mammals with this
organizational structure
Works in eusocial society show altruistic behavior, which means working towards the good of the group ◦ Theory of inclusive fitness explains that this
behavior helps to promote reproductive success of relatives
◦ Since relatives share the same gene pool, this behavior helps promote reproductive success of their own genes
Like many other animals, humans are affected by hormones and pheromones◦ It is felt that a lock of the hormone oxytocin may
result in a defective bonding pattern◦ Pheromones may be active in regulating the
menstrual cycles of women living in close proximity
Humans can perform infanticide under extreme conditions even though it is a practice considered to be amoral behavior