1. Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Biology Sutherland, WJ (1998) Anim. Behav. 56:801

2. Behavior and Conservation 30 years advances in evolutionary ecology of behavior Neuropsychology of learning Little use of these modern developments in conservation animal populations/species

3. Behavior and Conservation Role for behavioral ecology in conservation biology? Contribution may be important: wrt breeding behavior climate change, habitat use

4. Behavioral Ecology: Extinction of Small Populations Some species: reproduction/individual lower at low population density: Alee effect

5. Behavioral Ecology: Extinction of Small Populations Sexual selection: traits (including behavior) decrease survival to increase reproduction Dichromatic bird species vs monomorphic Bright males colors: stronger sexual selection Introduced species Pacific islands: Pr[extinction] higher with sexual dichromatism

6. Species’ Reproductive Isolation Introduced spp may hybridize with native spp Native sp may disappear as genetically isolated taxon introgression of introduce species’ genes Ruddy duck introduced to Europe Females of native white-headed duck prefer mates of non-native sp Hybridization/retrogression

7. Behavioral Responses to Habitat Fragmentation Habitat reduction: smaller breeding populations Habitat fragmentation: Remaining habitat subdivided How does dispersal behavior, breeding site selection, dietary choice depend on “checkerboard” of quality habitat? Ask similar questions wrt climate change

8. Conserving Cultural Traits Culture: Transmitted via social learning Release of captive-bred individuals to wild Lack cultural experience Golden lion tamarins (captive-bred) Did not recognize natural food Did not recognize predators Lacked locomotion skills

9. Conserving Cultural Traits Understand how cultural traits affect survival Humans can teach captive-bred animals what to fear what to eat when to join group Teach predators to avoid humans

10. Behavior and Conservation Is behavior worth conserving? Wildebeest migrations, Avian migrations Winter roosts of monarch butterflies, … International cooperation