Intro to Animal Behavior Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is the difference between neurology and neurophysiology?
Neurology is the study of the nervous system as a whole, while neurophysiology is the study of how the nervous system functions.
Understanding the distinction helps in focusing on structural vs functional aspects of the nervous system.
What are the three functional attributes shared by all animals?
- Nutrient capture
- Body maintenance
- Reproduction
These attributes are fundamental for survival across species.
What are the factors affecting animal behavior?
- Physiology
- Morphology
- Environment (currently + historically)
- Domestic selection
These factors contribute to variations in behavior across different species.
What four aspects are important for understanding normal behavior?
- Causation
- Evolution
- Function
- Development
These aspects help in analyzing why and how behaviors occur in animals.
What does ‘causation’ in animal behavior refer to?
- Eliciting stimuli (external or internal)
- Neural mechanisms to produce behavior
Understanding causation highlights the adaptive nature of behavior.
What are the three underlying premises regarding the evolution of domestic animal behavior?
- Behavior affects survival/reproduction
- Behavior is variable and affected by genes
- Behavior genes are heritable
These premises indicate how behavior can evolve through natural selection.
What is the definition of domestication?
The process by which a population of animals becomes adapted to man and to the captive environment through genetic changes and environmentally induced developmental events over generations.
Domestication often leads to significant behavioral changes in species.
What is a primary effect of domestication on behavior?
Species dependent, leading to loss of traits and/or exaggeration of traits.
Examples include changes in compulsory behavior in male turkeys and brood behavior in hens.
What is an example of behavioral loss during domestication?
- Compulsory behavior in male turkeys
- Brood behavior in hens
These changes illustrate how domestication can alter natural behaviors.
What is behavioral neoteny?
Selection for tameability and retention of juvenile features into adulthood.
Behavioral neoteny can influence temperament and behavior in adult animals.
How does the domestic environment affect barking in dogs?
Dogs bark more than wolves, possibly trying to solicit attention from humans, and barking can be learned.
This behavior may be linked to human selection for guarding ability.
What is the relationship between tameness and barking in dogs?
Linked genes suggest that tameness is associated with increased barking behavior.
The study of Belyaev’s foxes supports these findings.
What is the significance of the periaqueductal grey matter in animal aggression?
It is a terminal region currently understood to be involved in mechanisms of aggression, particularly during communal feeding.
Understanding this area can help in studying aggressive behaviors in various species.
Fill in the blank: Behavior is an additive effect of _______ and environment.
genotype
This indicates that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to behavioral outcomes.
What was the focus of Belyaev’s selection in silver foxes?
Selection for tame behaviour
This selection spanned 30-35 generations.
What were some indirect traits selected alongside tameness in silver foxes?
- Piebald coat
- Floppy ears
- Rolled tail
- Shorter, wider muzzle
Which gene variant is linked to fox tameness?
SorCS1 gene variant
How does domestication affect the behavior of dogs?
- Docility
- Fetching
- Herding
- Increased or decreased aggression
What behavioral changes occur in pigs, sheep, and cows due to domestication?
- Reduced reactivity
- Increased docility
- Changes in production traits
What aspects of behavior are affected by domestication in horses?
- Speed
- Reactivity
- Performance
What developmental rates are accelerated by domestication?
- Sexual maturation
- Growth rates
What factors contribute to accelerated sexual maturation in domesticated animals?
- Selection under domestic environment
- Absence of social competition
- Better nutrition
At what age can captive wolves breed compared to their wild counterparts?
As early as 9 months in captivity, compared to 2 years in the wild
How does development progress in animals?
Linear and serial buildup of competences
