Chapter 45
Animal Behavior
Animal Behavior
Definition
Behavior - observable and coordinated
responses to environmental stimuli
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Animal Behavior
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Genetics Basis
Nature (inherited) versus nurture (environmental)
questions are still debated
Genes influence development of neural and
hormonal mechanisms controlling behavior
Studies on identical twins separated at birth
- Can be used to determine extent of inherited
behavior
- Sometimes remarkably similar in preferences,
taste, personality tests, etc. Sometimes not
Animal Behavior
Behavioral Ecology
We expect natural selection to attempt to
maximize the Darwinian fitness associated with
the traits possessed by organisms
Behaviors that reduce Darwinian fitness
decrease in gene pool – leaving the “best”
behaviors
Yes, genetics is an underlying component of
behavior but the ability to learn complicates the
behavioral evolution
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Animal Behavior
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Ultimate Causation vs Proximate Causation
Ultimate Causation – “why” does the behavior
exist?
Proximate Causation – “how” does the behavior
work? Mechanics involved (stimuli preception
and reaction)
Animal Behavior
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Example: Bluegill Sunfish
Behavior – breeding occurs in late spring/early
summer
Proximate cause – increased daylight stimulates
fish’s pineal gland (accumulation of hormone)
Ultimate cause – most successful hatching rate in
warm water when food supply plentiful
Animal Behavior
March of Penguins
Lots of examples!!
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Animal Behavior
Chapter 45 in Mader
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Animal Behavior
Behavioral Concepts
Ethology
Learning
Finding One’s Way
Finding Food
Fighting
Finding Sex
Cooperation
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Animal Behavior
Expectations
PPT to complete guide notes
Definition – Explanation – Examples
Video clip for example(s)
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Nest Building Behavior in Lovebirds
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Feeding Behavior in Garter Snakes
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Animal Behavior
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Behavior Undergoes Development
Some behaviors seem to be stereotyped
Fixed Action Patterns (FAP’s)
- Originally assumed to be elicited by a sign stimulus
- Increasingly thought to develop after practice
Animal Behavior
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The Phenomenon of Learning
Operant Conditioning
Gradual strengthening of stimulus-response
corrections
Trick-training in birds
Imprinting
Imitate behavior observed during sensitive period
Goslings follow any moving object after birth
Animal Behavior
The Phenomenon of Learning
Song Learning in Birds
Avian brain is especially sensitive to acoustical
stimuli during a sensitive period
Social experience appears to have an even
stronger influence over development of singing
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Pecking Behavior in Laughing Gulls
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Classical Conditioning
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Animal Behavior
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Behavior Is Adaptive
Sexual selection - Adaptive changes in females
and males that lead to differential reproductive
success
Raggiana Bird of Paradise
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Animal Behavior
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Female Choice
Courtship displays help males and females
recognize each other for successful mating
Good Genes Hypothesis
- Females benefit from selective choice by securing
sperm with good genes
Run-Away Hypothesis
- Females choose mates on the basis of traits that
make them attractive to females
Animal Behavior
Male Competition
Is access to mating is worth the cost of
competition among males
Question is studied by cost-benefit analyses
Do positive effects (benefits) outweigh negative
effects (costs)?
- If yes
 The
behavior is evolutionarily stable
 The behavior will survive or increase
- If no
 The
behavior is evolutionarily UNstable
 The behavior will decrease or disappear
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Animal Behavior
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Dominance Hierarchy
Males and females have separate dominance
hierarchies
Higher-ranking individuals have greater access to
essential resources
Baboons form temporary consort pairs with
females
- Males may monopolize estrous females
- Or may assist females or form friendship groups to
secure future matings
A Male Olive Baboon Displaying Full Threat 23
Animal Behavior
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Territoriality
Territoriality is protecting an area against other
individuals
Red Deer Stags (males) compete for groups of
hinds (females)
Hinds only mate with one stag
Harem Master must be large and powerful to fight
off challengers
- Means less body fat
- May be more likely to starve in bad times, and have
shorter life expectancy
Competition Between Male Red Deer
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King Hussein and Family
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Animal Behavior
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Animal Societies
Society - a cooperative organization that extends
beyond sexual and parental interests
The Queen Ant
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Animal Behavior
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Altruism versus Self-Interest
Altruism
Behavior that involves a reduction in direct fitness
Loss may be compensated by an increase in
indirect fitness
Inclusive fitness includes
Reproductive fitness of self, and
Reproductive fitness of relatives
Genetic relatedness may underlie many/most
acts of apparent altruism
Inclusive Fitness
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Animal Behavior
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Communicative Behavior
Communicative Behavior
Chemical
- Pheromones designate chemical signals that are
passed between members of the same species
Auditory
Faster than chemical communication
Can be modified by loudness, pattern, repetition,
and duration
Visual
Used by species active during the day
- Contests between males make use of threat
postures
- Saves energy by avoiding fighting
Use of a Pheromone
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A Chimpanzee With a Researcher
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Animal Behavior
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Communicative Behavior
Tactile
Occurs when one animal touches another
- Gull chicks peck at the parent’s beak in order to
induce the parent to feed them
- Foraging honeybees
 Return
to the hive and perform a waggle dance
 Indicates
the distance and direction of a food source
Grooming Among Baboons
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Communication Among Bees
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Animal Behavior
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Sociobiology and Animal Behavior
Sociobiology
Applies the principles of evolutionary biology to
the study of behavior in animals
Assumes individuals derive benefits from living in
a society that outweigh costs
- Advantages include
 reproductive
 Predator
avoidance
 Assistance
 Finding
success
in rearing offspring
food
Animal Behavior
Sociobiology and Animal Behavior
Societal Disadvantages
Crowding
- Resource allocation
- Spread of disease
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Animal Behavior
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Nest Helpers
Green Wood-hoopoes
One breeding pair per flock
- Other sexually mature members may help feed and
protect fledglings and protect the home territory
- Helper is contributing to survival of its own kin
- Helper is more likely than nonhelper to inherit
parental territory
Animal Behavior
Outline
Nature versus Nurture: Genetic Influences
Nature versus Nurture: Environmental Influences
Learning
Adaptive Mating Behavior
Female Choice
Male Competition
Dominance Hierarchy
Territoriality
Animal Communication
Sociobiology and Animal Behavior
Altruism versus Self-Interest
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Ending Slide Chapter 45
Animal Behavior