14. Habitat selection, territoriality, and migration Flashcards
(12 cards)
The ideal free distribution model
Image two different habitats types, or patches; a good patch (1) and a worse patch (2)
The first individual that makes a decision where to go should choose patch 1
Once the average resource intake at patch 1 drops to the point labelled A, individuals start to fill patch 2
Territory
An area that an animal or a group of animas of a particular species consistently defends against conspecifics (and occasionally animals of other species) to ensure exclusive access to resources.
Intraspecific competition
often relates to mating success but also to resource competition within one species
Interspecific competition
mainly relates to claiming identical or similar resources between different species
Visual information processing
for recognition of specific landmarks (=distinct visual cues) and determination of directions according to celestial cues (sun, stars as non-stationary references) with an integration of internal
circadian clock information
(e.g., when moving South in the morning, the sun has to be in the East (left), whereas when moving South in the afternoon, the sun has to be in the West (right))
Proprioceptive and vestibular information processing – used in path integration
Estimation of distance based on interoceptive information (e.g., counting steps)
Olfactory information processing
e.g. used for trait following in ants (using the olfactory information form pheromone trails to move out and return to the nest)
Tactile information processing
e.g. used by (nocturnal) rodents e.g. based on their whisker system
Ultrasound information processing
e.g. used bats for orientation in a three-dimensional space (cave) with their sonar system
Electric sense for three-dimensional orientation in opaque water
(e.g. by electric fish)
Magnetic sense for orientation
use the directions of the magnetic fields to orient themselves (e.g. pigeons returning to loft, but also wood mice)
