1. Chapter 51
Animal Behavior

2. Overview: The How and Why of Animal Activity
Fiddler crabs feed with their small claw and wave their large claw
Why do male fiddler crabs engage in claw waving behavior?
Claw waving is used to repel other males and to attract females
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3. Behavior is subject to natural selection
A behavior is the nervous system’s response to a stimulus and is carried out by the muscular or the hormonal system
Behavior is subject to natural selection
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4. Concept 51.1: Discrete sensory inputs can stimulate both simple and complex behaviors
Niko Tinbergen identified four questions that should be asked about animal behavior
What stimulus elicits the behavior, and what physiological mechanisms mediate the response?
How does the animal’s experience during growth and development influence the response?
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5. 3. How does the behavior aid survival and reproduction?
What is the behavior’s evolutionary history?
Behavioral ecology is the study of the ecological and evolutionary basis for animal behavior
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6. Behavioral ecology integrates proximate and ultimate explanations for animal behavior
Proximate causation addresses “how” a behavior occurs or is modified, including Tinbergen’s questions 1 and 2
Ultimate causation addresses “why” a behavior occurs in the context of natural selection, including Tinbergen’s questions 3 and 4
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7. Fixed Action Patterns
A fixed action pattern is a sequence of unlearned, innate behaviors that is unchangeable
Once initiated, it is usually carried to completion
A fixed action pattern is triggered by an external cue known as a sign stimulus
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8. Tinbergen observed male stickleback fish responding to a passing red truck
In male stickleback fish, the stimulus for attack behavior is the red underside of an intruder
When presented with unrealistic models, the attack behavior occurs as long as some red is present
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9. Figure 51.2
(a)
Figure 51.2 Sign stimuli in a classic fixed action pattern.
(b) 9

10. Migration
Environmental cues can trigger movement in a particular direction
Migration is a regular, long-distance change in location
Animals can orient themselves using
The position of the sun and their circadian clock, an internal 24-hour clock that is an integral part of their nervous system
The position of the North Star
The Earth’s magnetic field
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11. Figure 51.3
Figure 51.3 Migration. 11

12. Behavioral Rhythms
Some animal behavior is affected by the animal’s circadian rhythm, a daily cycle of rest and activity
Behaviors such as migration and reproduction are linked to changing seasons, or a circannual rhythm
Daylight and darkness are common seasonal cues
Some behaviors are linked to lunar cycles, which affect tidal movements
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13. Animal Signals and Communication
In behavioral ecology, a signal is a behavior that causes a change in another animal’s behavior
Communication is the transmission and reception of signals
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14. Forms of Animal Communication
Animals communicate using visual, chemical, tactile, and auditory signals
Fruit fly courtship follows a three step stimulus-response chain
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15. Chemical communication: he smells a female’s chemicals in the air
1. A male identifies a female of the same species and orients toward her
Chemical communication: he smells a female’s chemicals in the air
Visual communication: he sees the female and orients his body toward hers
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16. 2. The male alerts the female to his presence
Tactile communication: he taps the female with a foreleg
Chemical communication: he chemically confirms the female’s identity
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17. Auditory communication: he extends and vibrates his wing
3. The male produces a courtship song to inform the female of his species
Auditory communication: he extends and vibrates his wing
If all three steps are successful, the female will allow the male to copulate
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18. (a) Orienting (b) Tapping (c) “Singing” Figure 51.4
Figure 51.4 Courtship behavior of the fruit fly.
(a) Orienting
(b) Tapping
(c) “Singing” 18

19. Honeybees show complex communication with symbolic language
A bee returning from the field performs a dance to communicate information about the distance and direction of a food source
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20. Figure 51.5 Honeybee dance language.
(a) Worker bees
(b)
Round dance (food near)
Waggle dance (food distant)
(c) A
30°
Figure 51.5 Honeybee dance language. C B
Beehive
30°
Location A
Location B
Location C 20

21. Figure 51.5a
Figure 51.5 Honeybee dance language.
(a) Worker bees 21

22. Round dance (food near)
Figure 51.5b
Figure 51.5 Honeybee dance language.
(b)
Round dance (food near) 22

23. Waggle dance (food distant)
Figure 51.5c
(c)
Waggle dance (food distant) A
30° C B
Beehive
30°
Figure 51.5 Honeybee dance language.
Location A
Location B
Location C 23

24. Pheromones
Many animals that communicate through odors emit chemical substances called pheromones
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25. For example,
A female moth can attract a male moth several kilometers distant
A honeybee queen produces a pheromone that affects the development and behavior of female workers and male drones
When a minnow or catfish is injured, an alarm substance in the fish’s skin disperses in the water, inducing a fright response among fish in the area
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26. Minnows before alarm (a) Minnows after alarm (b) Figure 51.6
Figure 51.6 Minnows responding to the presence of an alarm substance. 26

27. Pheromones can be effective at very low concentrations
Nocturnal animals, such as most terrestrial mammals, depend on olfactory and auditory communication
Diurnal animals, such as humans and most birds, use visual and auditory communication
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28. Concept 51.2: Learning establishes specific links between experience and behavior
Innate behavior is developmentally fixed and does not vary among individuals
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29. Experience and Behavior
Cross-fostering studies help behavioral ecologists to identify the contribution of environment to an animal’s behavior
A cross-fostering study places the young from one species in the care of adults from another species
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30. Studies of California mice and white-footed mice have uncovered an influence of social environment on aggressive and parental behaviors
Cross-fostered mice developed some behaviors that were consistent with their foster parents
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31. Table 51.1
Table 51.1 Influence of Cross-Fostering on Male Mice 31

32. In humans, twin studies allow researchers to compare the relative influences of genetics and environment on behavior
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33. Learning
Learning is the modification of behavior based on specific experiences
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34. Imprinting
Imprinting is a behavior that includes learning and innate components and is generally irreversible
It is distinguished from other learning by a sensitive period
A sensitive period is a limited developmental phase that is the only time when certain behaviors can be learned
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35. An example of imprinting is young geese following their mother
Konrad Lorenz showed that when baby geese spent the first few hours of their life with him, they imprinted on him as their parent
The imprint stimulus in greylag geese is a nearby object that is moving away from the young geese
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36. (a) Konrad Lorenz and geese
Figure 51.7
(a) Konrad Lorenz and geese
Figure 51.7 Imprinting.
(b) Pilot and cranes 36

37. Conservation biologists have taken advantage of imprinting in programs to save the whooping crane from extinction
Young whooping cranes can imprint on humans in “crane suits” who then lead crane migrations using ultralight aircraft
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38. Figure 51.7b
Figure 51.7 Imprinting.
(b) Pilot and cranes 38

39. Spatial Learning and Cognitive Maps
Spatial learning is a more complex modification of behavior based on experience with the spatial structure of the environment
Niko Tinbergen showed how digger wasps use landmarks to find nest entrances
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40. EXPERIMENT Nest Pinecone RESULTS Nest No nest Figure 51.8
Figure 51.8 Inquiry: Does a digger wasp use landmarks to find her nest?
Nest
No nest 40

41. A cognitive map is an internal representation of spatial relationships between objects in an animal’s surroundings
For example, Clark’s nutcrackers can find food hidden in caches located halfway between particular landmarks
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42. Associative Learning
In associative learning, animals associate one feature of their environment with another
For example, a white-footed mouse will avoid eating caterpillars with specific colors after a bad experience with a distasteful monarch butterfly caterpillar
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43. Classical conditioning is a type of associative learning in which an arbitrary stimulus is associated with a reward or punishment
For example, a dog that repeatedly hears a bell before being fed will salivate in anticipation at the bell’s sound
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44. It is also called trial-and-error learning
Operant conditioning is a type of associative learning in which an animal learns to associate one of its behaviors with a reward or punishment
It is also called trial-and-error learning
For example, a rat that is fed after pushing a lever will learn to push the lever in order to receive food
For example, a predator may learn to avoid a specific type of prey associated with a painful experience
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45. Figure 51.9
Figure 51.9 Associative learning. 45

46. Cognition and Problem Solving
Cognition is a process of knowing that may include awareness, reasoning, recollection, and judgment
For example, honeybees can distinguish “same” from “different”
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47. Decision chamber Food Stimulus Lid Entrance (a) Color maze
Figure 51.10
Decision chamber
Food
Stimulus
Lid
Figure A maze test of abstract thinking by honeybees.
Entrance
(a) Color maze
(b) Pattern maze 47

48. Problem solving is the process of devising a strategy to overcome an obstacle
For example, chimpanzees can stack boxes in order to reach suspended food
For example, ravens obtained food suspended from a branch by a string by pulling up the string
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49. Development of Learned Behaviors
Development of some behaviors occurs in distinct stages
For example a white-crowned sparrow memorizes the song of its species during an early sensitive period
The bird then learns to sing the song during a second learning phase
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50. Social Learning
Social learning is learning through the observation of others and forms the roots of culture
For example, young chimpanzees learn to crack palm nuts with stones by copying older chimpanzees
For example, vervet monkeys give and respond to distinct alarm calls for different predators
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51. Figure 51.11
Figure A young chimpanzee learning to crack oil palm nuts by observing an experienced elder. 51

52. Figure 51.12
Figure Vervet monkeys learning correct use of alarm calls. 52

53. Culture can alter behavior and influence the fitness of individuals
Culture is a system of information transfer through observation or teaching that influences behavior of individuals in a population
Culture can alter behavior and influence the fitness of individuals
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54. Animal Behavior Chapter 51
Questions prepared by
William Wischusen Louisiana State University
John Zarnetske Hoosick Falls Central Schools

55. The territorial response in three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is a fixed action pattern that is triggered by a sign stimulus. What environmental cue did Niko Tinbergen determine was the sign stimulus for aggression in three-spined sticklebacks?
The color red
A torpedo shape
The stickleback spines
A square shape
A swollen belly
Answer: a
Topic 51.1
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56. A scientist observes that a male three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) attacks other male sticklebacks that enter its nesting territory. What is the ultimate cause of this behavior?
a) He decreases the chance that eggs laid in his territory will be fertilized by another male.
b) To show his fitness to females who are watching the contest
c) Sex drive
d) The observed red belly
e) The smell of a female in the vicinity
Answer: a
Topic 51.1
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57. Environmental stimuli not only trigger behaviors, but also provide cues that animals use to carry out those behaviors. Which of the following cues do birds use to navigate during migration?
The sun’s position and circadian rhythms
The Earth’s magnetic field
Environmental cues and landmarks
The position of the north star
All options are correct.
Answer: e
Topic 51.1
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58. Which of the following statements about imprinting is true?
a) It causes behaviors that last for only a short time (the sensitive period).
b) It is a type of learning that does not involve innate behavior.
c) It may be triggered by visual or chemical stimuli.
d) It occurs only in birds.
e) It happens to many adult animals, but not to their young.
Answer: c
Topic 51.2

59. Fixed action pattern
Kinesis
Associative learning
Spatial learning
Habituation
Many distasteful insects are brightly colored. What type of behavior might help explain this?
Answer: c
This question is aimed at Concept 51.2 and can be used to begin a discussion of different types of learning.
Image is from Campbell Essential Biology, 3e, Fig

60. Classical conditioning Innate Associative learning Cognition
The coyote (Canis latrans) pictured below had a bad experience while trying to prey on a porcupine. What type of behavior is likely to ensue?
Imprinting
Classical conditioning
Innate
Associative learning
Cognition
Answer: d
Topic 51.2
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61. Charles Henry found that green that lacewings that appeared morphologically identical performed a song specific for their species. To determine whether the song was genetically determined, Henry crossed different green lacewing species (Chrysoperla plorabunda and C. johnsoni) and analyzed the songs produced by the hybrid offspring. He discovered that
hybrids sang a “nonsense song.”
hybrids sang a song that had components of both parental species.
offspring sang the C. plorabunda song only.
offspring sang the C. johnsoni song only.
male hybrids sang a unique song to which female hybrids would not respond.
Answer: b
Topic 51.4
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