Animal Behavior Why do we study it?. What is Animal Behavior? Animal behavior is the scientific...

Animal Behavior

Why do we study it?

What is Animal Behavior?• Animal behavior is the scientific study of

everything animals do, whether the animals are single-celled organisms, insects, birds, mammals, fish, or humans.

• The field of animal behavior is concerned with understanding the – causes, – functions, – development, and – evolution of behavior.

Causes

• The causes of behavior include all of the stimuli that affect behavior, whether – external (food or predators) or – internal (hormones or nervous system changes).

• What are the stimuli that elicit the response, and how has it been modified by recent learning?

Function• The function of behavior include both– the immediate effects of behavior on an animal (such

as attracting a mate), and – the adaptive significance of the behavior in a particular

environment (such as huddling together in cold weather).

• How does the behavior affect the animal's chances of survival and reproduction? Why does the animal respond that way instead of some other way?

Development

• The development of behavior is concerned with the ways in which behavior changes over the lifetime of an animal.

• How does the behavior change with age, and what early experiences are necessary for the animal to display the behavior?

Evolution

• The evolution of behavior is concerned with origins of behavior patterns and how these change over generations of animals.

• How does the behavior compare with similar behavior in related species, and how might it have begun through the process of phylogeny (study of evolutionary relationships)?

Why Study Animal Behavior?

Early Warning Signs• The behavior of animals often provides the

first clues or early warning signs of environmental degradation.

• Studies of natural behavior in the field are vital to provide baseline data for future environmental monitoring. – For example, the Environmental Protection Agency

uses disruptions in swimming behavior of minnows as an index of possible pesticide pollution.

Economics

• Basic animal behavior research can have important economic implications.

• Basic research on how salmon migrate back to their home streams started more than 40 years ago has taught us about the mechanisms of migration. – This information has also been valuable in preserving

the salmon industry in the Pacific Northwest and – has led to the development of a salmon fishing industry

in the Great Lakes.

Controlling pest species

• Understanding of predator prey relationships can lead to the introduction of natural predators on prey species. – leading to the development of non-toxic

pheromones for insect pest control that avoid the need for toxic pesticides.

Forest preservation

• An understanding of foraging behavior in animals can lead to an understanding of forest regeneration. – Many animals serve as seed dispersers and are

thus essential for the propagation of tree species and essential for habitat preservation.

Avoid Animal Extinction

• The conservation of endangered species requires that we know enough about natural behavior (migratory patterns, home range size, interactions with other groups, foraging demands, reproductive behavior, communication, etc) in order to develop effective reserves and effective protection measures.

• Relocation or reintroduction of animals is not possible without detailed knowledge of a species' natural history.

• Managing of populations of rare species, both in captivity and in the natural habitat, animal behavior research becomes increasingly important.

• Many of the world's leading conservationists have a background in animal behavior or behavioral ecology.

Identifying Endangered species

• Red List• Identifies threatened

species worldwide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7GQZsGmW5Y#t=62 Red List: Guiding Conservation for 50 years

Ethologist – Studies animal Behavior

Continuum

Something you have from Day 1

Genetically programmed

Ex. Baby will grasp your finger

Evolutionary: Stay close to Mom

• Stimuli = specific behavior pattern

• Ex. Goose see round object outside of nest…will roll it back into nest. Good if egg…Will also roll round rock or billiard ball back into nest.

• Ex. Humans: wave or head nod

• Critical Period• Goose – 1st thing

it sees when hatched

• Salmon – chemically imprint on stream

• Stimulus produces associated response

• Ex Pavlov’s Dogs

• Train through series of steps.

• Rats learning to push lever for food…stop pushing lever if electrified

• How we usually train dogs and other animals

• Crow vending machine

• Same stimuli over and over again…you will learn to ignore

• Bad smell• Prairie dog won’t

sound an alarm for humans, if no harm comes after many exposures

• Evolutionary: avoid stimulus overload

• Learn by watching • 10 % of “mirror

neurons” fire when you watch someome perform task.

• Solve more complex problems

• Ah-ha moment• Humans, apes,

dolphins, crows, – Living in Social groups– Requires cooperative

behavior : empathy, fairness, care for others welfare

Examples of Animal Behavior

• Frans de Waal: Moral behavior in animals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcJxRqTs5nk

Zoo Project

• Choose an Animal• Research– Characteristics– Range– Habits– Endangered status– Ideal Habitat

• Conduct Animal Study at Zoo– Capture data on all behavior observed– Look for specific behavior based on research– Design a study to analyze that behavior

• Cause, function, development, and/or evolution

• Evaluate & redesign zoo habitat

Conducting Animal Research

• Methods of Animal Behavior Research Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqevX7n385g