LIFESCI 3C03 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Testicle, Estrous Cycle, Sexual Swelling
20 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Four stages of the scientific approach: observations, hypotheses, predictions and tests. Comparative study of different species; compare groups of related species and attempt to find out how differences in their behavior reflect differences in ecology. First attempt at a systematic comparative analysis of social organization (large # of species) Solitary vs flocks, build nests in defended territories vs colonies, monogamous vs polygamous. Considered type of food, food abundance and distribution, predators and nest sites as ecological variables relating to different behavior. Clutton-brock and harvey"s new comparative approach had 3 improvements: measured aspects of behavior on a continuous scale, considered alternative hypotheses, used different genera as independent data points (vs species) to reduce problem of similarity through common ancestor. Using phylogenies: data points that are not independent can increase likelihood of incorrect conclusions, species may be similar through common descent, which may bias comparative analysis.
