Biology 2483A Quiz: Behavioural Ecology.docx

• School: Western University
• Department: Biology
• Course: Biology 2483A
• Professor: Lisa Henry

Document Summary

Adult male lions often kill the cubs of another male in the pride. In many species, females are more choosy than males in mate selection, but in some species females try to mate with as many males as possible. Is the study of the ecological and evolutionary basis of animal behaviour. An animal"s behavioural decisions play a critical role in activities such as obtaining food, finding mates, avoiding predators. Animal behaviours can be explained at different levels: Ultimate causes why the behaviour occurs; the evolutionary and historical reasons; study at genetic level behavioural ecologists mostly focus on ultimate causes. Many studies have documented adaptive behavioural change. Cockroaches exposed to traps with a bait containing an insecticide plus glucose evolved glucose aversion, which is controlled by a single gene. When glucose is present, others don"t feed. Aversion to corn syrup which contains glucose and fructose. Most aspects of animal behaviour are controlled by both genes and environmental conditions.