animal behavior - exam 3

Question 1

behavioral ecology

Answer 1

focuses on how behavior contributes to the differential survival & reproduction of animals

Question 2

how is success of behavior measured in evolutionary terms

Answer 2

passing genes to the next generation

Question 3

proximate causation

Answer 3

how behavior occurs or is modified

Question 4

proximate causation questions

Answer 4

what event or signal triggers the behavior & what are the mechanisms

how does experience & development influence behavior

Question 5

proximate causation in frigate birds

Answer 5

presence of female triggers behavior

older males are better at attracting females

visual stimulus releases hormones

Question 6

ultimate causation

Answer 6

why a behavior evolves

Question 7

ultimate causation questions

Answer 7

how does the behavior aid survival & reproduction

what is the evolutionary history of the behavior

Question 8

ultimate causation in frigate birds

Answer 8

drumming attracts a mate –> reproduction

bond w/ mate = higher survival rate for offspring

Question 9

innate behavior

Answer 9

requires no learning

Question 10

fixed action pattern

Answer 10

sequence of unlearned, innate behaviors

once initiated, usually carried to completion
- even if stimulus is removed

behavior is the same everytime

Question 11

sign stimulus

Answer 11

stimulus that triggers an FAP

Question 12

stickleback fish fap & sign stimulus

Answer 12

circle & attack when another male fish comes near their nest

sign stimulus = red belly

Question 13

what does behavior result from

Answer 13

a mix of genes & the environment

Question 14

birdsong

Answer 14

genetically programmed to learn

only sing correct song if they hear the correct song as a baby

cannot learn the song of another bird

Question 15

piloting

Answer 15

movement of animals from one familiar landmark to another

Question 16

drawbacks of piloting

Answer 16

short distances

for visual landmarks - not useful at night or over ocean

only works if landmarks are stationary

Question 17

orientation

Answer 17

movement of animals along a compass line

Question 18

what do some animals use for orientation

Answer 18

sun compass

monarchs

Question 19

how does a sun compass work

Answer 19

requires an internal clock bc position of sun changes over time

if going south –> keep sun on left in the morning, go towards sun midday, keep sun on right in the afternoon

Question 20

how do animals who use sun compasses orient when they can’t see the sun

Answer 20

use the earth’s magnetic field as a compass

Question 21

drawbacks of orientation

Answer 21

can’t get back on track if blown off course

Question 22

navigation

Answer 22

ability of animals who can orient along compass lines to determine their location in relation to their destination

able to get back on track if blown off course

Question 23

cognitive map

Answer 23

a representation in the brain of the spatial relationships between objects

Question 24

what is a cognitive map based on

Answer 24

earth’s magnetic field

landmarks

sounds

odors

highways

Question 25

demonstrating landmark use in digger wasps

Answer 25

pine cones around nest

researcher moves pine cones

wasp can’t find its nest

Question 26

communication

Answer 26

use of specifically designed signals to modify the behavior of others

Question 27

signal

Answer 27

a stimulus transmitted from one animal to another

Question 28

how do bees communicate the location of food to other bees

Answer 28

waggle dance

Question 29

waggle dance

Answer 29

provides info about:

direction - w/ respect to sun
distance - number & duration of waggles

Question 30

waggle dance up

Answer 30

towards the sun

Question 31

waggle dance down

Answer 31

away from the sun

Question 32

round dance

Answer 32

food near hive

no directional info

Question 33

primary functions of communication

Answer 33

attract mates

repel rivals

Question 34

why do the same signals that attract females repel males

Answer 34

handicap principle

Question 35

handicap principle

Answer 35

communication signals indicate male quality

Question 36

testosterone & handicap principle

Answer 36

high testosterone is necessary to produce high quality signals but it’s expensive (takes a lot of energy)

only high quality males can afford it