Biology 2483A Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Escape Tunnel, Optimal Foraging Theory, Corn Syrup
Document Summary
An evolutionary approach to the study of behaviour leads to testable predictions. Types of behavioural choices fall into 3 categories: Foraging behaviours (eating/being eaten): animals make behavioural choices that enhance their energy gain and reduce their risk of becoming prey. Mating behaviours/reproduction: mating behaviours reflect the costs and benefits of parental investment and mate defense. Group living behaviours/group dynamics: there are advantages and disadvantages to living in groups. Can take an evolutionary approach to setting behaviour. If behaviour benefits organism in survival/reproduction and it"s inheritable, it will be passed on into generations disproportionately: ex: adult male lions often kill the cubs of another male in the pride (family). Comes down to dynamics of how lion prides work. Young adult male lions are driven from the pride and may form. Bachelor prides (groups of all males) that hunt/work together. At 4 or 5 years, a male can challenge adult males in an established pride to access females.