Behavioral Ecology

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Behavioral Ecology
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Behavioral Ecology

• Ethology is the study of the behavior of animals
  in their natural environment.

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Behavioral Ecology

• Ethologists ask proximate questions, such as
  What triggers this behavior? and ultimate
  questions, like Why did natural selection favor
  this behavior?

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Behavioral Ecology

• Fixed action patterns (FAPs) are unlearned,
  unchangeable behaviors triggered by a sign
  stimulus

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Behavioral Ecology
Fixed action patterns (FAPs) are unlearned,
unchangeable behaviors triggered by a sign
stimulus
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Behavioral Ecology
Fixed action patterns (FAPs) are unlearned,
unchangeable behaviors triggered by a sign
stimulus.
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Behavioral Ecology

• Imprinting is learning during a sensitive period.

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Behavioral Ecology

• Kinesis is a change in activity level or turning
  rate in response to a stimulus.

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Behavioral Ecology

• Taxis is movement towards or away from a stimulus.

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Behavioral Ecology

• Learning
• habituation
• classical conditioning
• operant conditioning

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Behavioral Ecology
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Behavioral Ecology
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Behavioral Ecology

• Mating strategies
• promiscuous
• monogamous
• polygamous

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Behavioral Ecology

• Altruism is explained by the concept of inclusive
  fitness, which includes an individuals
  reproductive success and the help it gives to its
  close relatives to produce offspring.

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Behavioral Ecology

• C cost to the altruist
• B benefit to the recipient
• r coeficient of relatedness

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Behavioral Ecology

• C cost to the altruist
• B benefit to the recipient
• r coeficient of relatedness
• Natural selection will favor altruism when
• rB gt C