AR103 Lecture Notes - Behavioural Genetics
25 Sep 2012
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Document Summary
Behavior: anything organisms do that involves action in response to internal or external stimuli. (may or may not be deliberate) Ecological perspective: relationships between organisms and their environment (temp. , predators, food and water availability, vegetation, disease etc. ) Emphasizing the role of ecological factors as agents of natural selection. Behaviors have evolved through the operation of natural selection. Natural selection favors characteristics that provide reproductive advantage. Behavioral genetics: the study of how genes affect behavior. Body size: larger animals need less energy overall. Basal metabolic rate (bmr): smaller animals have higher bmr than larger ones. Smaller primates require energy-rich diet high in protein, facts, and carbohydrates. Larger animals with slower bmr rates require less fatty foods such as leaves. Distribution of resources: leaves are abundant and dense and can therefore feed larger populations of animals. Insects scattered and can only be eaten by individuals. Fruits occur scattered in groups in trees and shrubs, most efficiently exploited by small groups of animals.
