This document summarizes key concepts in animal behavior and its evolutionary basis. It discusses how behaviors are observable responses to stimuli and their survival value. Genetic and environmental factors influence behavior as shown by twin studies. Behaviors like fixed action patterns and learning through classical and operant conditioning provide evolutionary advantages. Imprinting and imitation also aid learning. Sexual selection and sexual dimorphism and behaviors like territoriality and communication help reproduction and survival. Sociobiology examines how social behaviors evolve. Altruism can increase indirect fitness in societies where costs are outweighed by benefits like protection and resources. Honeybee societies demonstrate genetic relationships maintaining cooperation.

1. Animal Behavior Ref: Chapter 45

2. Behavior Observable and coordinated responses to environmental stimuli Ethology = scientific study of how animals behave Mechanistic questions: “how” a behavior occurs by an animal’s structure Survival value questions: “why” a behavior occurs and how it helps an animal to survive Evolutionary advantage = behavior increases fitness

3. Genetic Basis to Behavior

4. Genetic Basis to Behavior: Nature vs. Nurture Twin Studies Compare similarities between Identical twins (share 100% DNA) Fraternal twins (share 50% DNA) Same environment (nurture) Compare similarities for Identical twins reared apart Different environment; same genetics (nature)

5. Genetic Basis to Behavior: Nature vs. Nurture Twin Studies indicate differences in personality traits 50% polygenic inheritance 50% environmental influence

6. Development of Behavior Innate behavior Fixed Action Pattern Response to sign stimulus Sequence of unlearned behaviors Always performed same way Evolutionary advantage?

7. Development of Behavior Learning Classical conditioning Neutral stimulus paired with significant stimulus Reflexive response triggered by neutral stimulus EX: Pavlov’s dog (bell + food drool bell drool) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZfMIHwSkU

8. Development of Behavior Learning Operant conditioning Gradual strengthening of stimulus-response connections Stimulus  Reward if proper response B F Skinner Evolutionary advantage?

9. Development of Behavior Imprinting Learning occurs in sensitive period Will follow first moving object seen after hatching Usually occurs in precocious young Evolutionary advantage?

10. Development of Behavior Learning Female chimpanzees termite fish like mothers Learn by imitation Evolutionary advantage?

11. Behavior is Adaptive Behaviors that increase survival and reproductive success are passed down Sexual selection = changes in males and females caused by mate choice and competition for mates

12. Sexual Dimorphism Differences in appearance between genders Male gorilla 1.5X size of female

13. Female Choice Female determines “best mate” Courtship rituals Birds

14. Male Competition Dominance Dominant male mates with females Dominance determined by confrontation

15. Male Competition Territoriality Male defends his territory (and harem) from other males Mockingbird Male fur seals

16. Chemical Communication Pheromone: chemical signal passed between members of the same species

17. Tactile Communication Waggle dance Grooming

18. Sociobiology Principles of evolutionary biology applied to social behavior in animals Benefits of living together must outweigh costs for society to persist

19. Advantages to Living Together Avoid predators Raise young Find food

20. Disadvantages to Living Together Competition over resources Potential low spot in hierarchy Increased risk of disease and parasites

21. Altruism Behavior that reduces direct fitness but increases indirect fitness Inclusive fitness = reproductive success of self and relatives (who share your genes!)

22. Honeybee Society Males - haploid (have 1 set of chromosomes) Females – diploid (have 2 sets of chromosomes) Queen – reproductive Workers – sterile

23. Honeybee Genetics Queen Passes half her chromosomes and all of male’s chromosomes to offspring Queen shares half her chromosomes with daughters Worker Shares half of queen’s chromosomes and ALL of father’s chromosomes with sisters

24. Honeybee Genetics Who is more closely related? Queen and female offspring Female offspring and female offspring Is the queen exploiting the workers – or the workers exploiting the queen?

25. Helpers Support reproducers Later gain support for reproducing