Behaviour lecture 2 Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is an ethogram?
A detailed inventory of specific behaviours exhibited by a species to categorize and quantify behaviours.
What are states of behaviour?
General categories of activity such as ‘swimming’ or ‘resting’.
What are behavioural events?
Specific behaviours within a state, such as ‘air-breathing’ during ‘swimming’.
What is all occurrences sampling?
Recording each time a behaviour occurs; useful for studying rare behavioural events.
What is focal animal sampling?
Collecting data from one animal at a time to derive time budgets; best for studying states of behaviour.
What is scan sampling?
Recording behaviours at set intervals; useful for studying habitat or food preferences, but may miss events.
What is DanioVision?
Software and hardware system for high-throughput behavioural research, especially in zebrafish.
Why are zebrafish popular in behavioural neuroscience?
Because of their genetic similarity to humans (~70% shared genes) and transparency.
What is acoustic telemetry?
Tracking animal movement using sound waves and implanted transmitters detected by underwater receivers.
What is archival telemetry?
Tags record data internally (e.g., depth, temperature) and must be retrieved physically.
Why is fish sensory biology important in ecology?
To design effective fish passages that align with fish sensory preferences.
How is fish sensory biology applied in fisheries?
To design selective fishing practices and gear using sensory cues like sight and smell.
How is fish sensory biology important in aquaculture?
Food pellets are tailored to species-specific sensory preferences to improve feeding efficiency.
How are chemical cues used in aquaculture?
To stimulate appetite, improve feeding, trigger reproductive behaviours, and influence sex ratios.
What does welfare mean in aquaculture?
The mental and physiological state of animals coping with their environment.
What are the Five Freedoms for animal welfare?
Freedom from hunger, discomfort, pain, fear, and freedom to express normal behaviour.
What aspects affect fish welfare in aquaculture?
Equipment design, feeding regime, stocking density, handling, and slaughter methods.
Why is understanding natural behaviour important for welfare?
To allow expression of species-specific behaviours and prevent stress.
What is stereotypical behaviour?
Repetitive, non-functional behaviour patterns often linked to stress, e.g., compulsive swimming in catfish.
Is cannibalism always abnormal in aquaculture?
No, it can occur naturally but is exacerbated by high densities and lack of escape possibilities.
What is territorial behaviour in fish?
Defending a specific area; increases aggression, but diminishes at very high densities or strong currents.
How can territorial behaviour be controlled?
By changing tank design (e.g., using round tanks instead of rectangular ones).
What is agonistic behaviour?
All conflict-related social behaviours like aggression and submission, influenced by environment and social factors.
How does swimming activity relate to aggression?
Increased swimming can both lead to and result from more aggressive interactions among fish.
