410 likes | 568 Views
Behavioural & Reproductive Adaptations. Finding ways to survive. Strange Behaviours. Have you ever heard the sound of a camera or the sound of an engine but nothing like it is nearby? What’s happening? Could it be the Lyre Bird?. Strange Behaviours. What do you know about the lyre bird?
E N D
Behavioural & Reproductive Adaptations Finding ways to survive
Strange Behaviours • Have you ever heard the sound of a camera or the sound of an engine but nothing like it is nearby? • What’s happening? • Could it be the Lyre Bird?
Strange Behaviours • What do you know about the lyre bird? • VIDEOS
Strange Behaviours • What is it doing? • Why is it doing it?
Strange Behaviours • Most impressive sound = Most impressive male • Most impressive tail = Most impressive male • Females go crazy for loud and flamboyant males.
Strange Behaviours • These are called behavioural adaptations • Behaviours that improve the fitness of individuals are referred to as having high adaptive value • They improve the individuals chance of surviving and increase the chance of reproducing viable offspring.
Reproductive Adaptations • VIDEO • Lizard species on the island of Ibiza
Strange Behaviours • Behaviour is developed through an interaction between the individual and the environment, their physiology and other living things. • In the case of the lyre bird what physical and behavioural aspects lead to its unique behaviour?
Reproductive Behaviour • Finding the right mate, reproducing and raising young are all reproductive behaviours • Survival depends on producing viable offspring and animals have developed a diverse range of strategies to do so.
Reproductive Behaviour • Reproductive adaptations can be a combination of physical and behavioural features.
Reproductive Adaptations • Many organisms must find a mate to reproduce. • They do this via a process called courtship
Reproductive Behaviours • Courtship involves one sex of a species (usually male) proving to the other (usually female) that they are fit to mate with. • This generally ensures that a fit male is chosen by the female. • Strategies for finding a mate can vary
Reproductive Behaviours • Group living – means mates are close by but it can be very competitive. • VIDEO
Reproductive Behaviours • Elephant seals live in groups where one male has control over a harem of females. • Only the strongest and biggest (fittest) males can gain control • Other males can compete for control of the harem.
Reproductive Behaviours • In contrast male mandrills live a very solitary life. [Bachelors] • They avoid family life and only come in contact with females when it is time to mate.
Reproductive Behaviours • The female Siberian dwarf hamster uses a different approach. In order to ensure her genes get passed on she is pregnant all the time.
Reproductive Behaviours • Gives birth in a burrow • Just before it gives birth it excretes a pungent scent around the outside of the burrow • Why might it do this?? To attract more males to mate with
Reproductive Behaviours • Why go to all this trouble?? • Why would a female choose a male that shows off so much??
Reproductive Behaviours • In the case of the peacock it is informing the female that: - I have good genes - I have valuable resources - I am extremely ‘fit’ • A lot of energy is invested by males into finding a mate.
Reproductive Behaviour • Females invest more energy into caring for their offspring (generally) • Therefore they need to find a male that will improve their chances of producing viable offspring.
Reproductive Behaviour • Other displays include plumage, dances, loud noises, battles etc… • Examples…
Reproductive Behaviours • As a result from mating you get… OFFSPRING • Who takes on the role of parent? • Different species have different approaches
Reproductive Behaviour • Some species look after their young. • PARENTAL CARE • This requires many resources such as food, shelter, protection, warmth. • It also poses a lot of danger for parents.
Reproductive Behaviour • This can be a beneficial approach as the offspring are more likely to survive. • The offspring are also more likely to survive to sexual maturity as they will pick up behaviours from their parents • Learnt Behaviours (generally mammals & birds)
Reproductive Behaviour • Parenting video
Reproductive Behaviour • Some species have NO input into the care of their offspring. • Can you think of an example?
Reproductive Behaviours • FROGS • Produce many offspring hoping this will improve the chance that some will survive to reproduce and carry on their genes.
Life Cycles • Video
Group Living • As seen with the penguins cooperation between mother and father is needed to raise the young • Sometimes a whole population can get involved.
Group living • Meerkat cooperation
Group Living • Many social behaviours can be observed when watching species like the meerkat. • What social behaviours did you observe in the video?
Group living • Look outs (standing guard) SENTRY • Foraging • Warnings • Protecting/looking after young
Group living • A lot of individual sacrifice is involved in group living. • However the benefits to the group and survival of the young far outweigh the individual costs.
Group living • Cooperation is not only for protecting each other. • It is critical for some species in hunting. • Video
Group living • For effective cooperation effective communication is required • Video
Group living • Communication through dance tells other bees where more pollen can be found. • Within this kind of community you have signallersandsignal receivers.
Group living • Signallers: Their actions or cues induce behavioural change in other individuals • These individuals that interpret the signals and then take action are the signal receivers
Group living • The types of signals can vary • Visual • Acoustic • Chemical