Adaptation Flashcards
A bit about domestication…?
Some effect on behaviour (eg. dogs, chickens)
Only suitable spp. - social, feeding habits
second wave - specific functions (eg. lab, game meat, fur)
A bit about sexual selection…?
influenced most domestic spp. (with differential input into parenting)
partner involved with parental care -> limited resource, the other develops features -> attracts mates & outcompete competitors
eg. cattle , horses, chickens, deer
Describe some similarities vs differences in domestic animals and their ancestors
Domestic & ancestors - finding food, mates, shelter, avoid predation, rear young
Ancestors - behaviour mechanisms -> increase survival
Domestic differences - less fearful, suited to confinement, more tolerant to conspecifics, abnormal behaviour
3 requirements for evolution?
- variation - among individuals in pop. of same spp.
- replication - variation genetically inherited
- selection - many more individuals born each gen. than can survive to maturity
Give an example of natural selection (phenotypic) at work…
peppered moth 1895 - usually light coloured, but 98% black in industrial areas
Then…equal numbers released in rural areas -> dark preyed on > light; in industrial areas -> light preyed on > dark
Natural selection depends on which characteristics?
physical (phenotype)
behaviour
Give an example of natural selection (behavioural) at work…
Black-headed gulls remove empty eggshells -> reduce predation risk
Define optimality & efficiency
idea that animal behaves in a way that maximises fitness
T or F - behaviour is completely controlled by genes
false - can be effect of environmental influences (rats running thru maze selected both bright & dull lines
Explain trade-offs in behaviour/social behaviour…
Usually require compromise eg. crows dropping from different heights…?
All domestic animals probably facilitate domestication, and show sophisticated interactions, often complex social structures (peck order)
Group-living in domestic animals (pro’s/con’s) eg…?
advantage - reduced predation risk
disadvantage - increased comp. for food
Experiment - if food abundant -> should bunch
if food scarce -> should scatter
What does ESS stand for?
Evolutionary Stable Strategies (Maynard Smith - 1982)
What is ESS? Give an eg.
A strategy, that if adopted by most members of the population, cannot be bettered by others
Eg. ritualised fighting in bison
Eg. Prisoners dilemma
The Selfish Gene
What is reciprocal altruism?
one animal helping another but not receiving assistance until some time later
Open to cheating
What is cultural transmission?
Animal learns from its parents
Behaviour that is learned by one generation and passed on to the next BUT NOT GENETIC
Requires copying & practice (higher animals)
