Using
a behavioral example of your choice, discuss
the action of natural selection in the evolution of adaptation. Please
state explicitly the conditions that are necessary for natural
selection
to operate, and what the result is. Your example may be speculative
(need
not be supported by data) but should be biologically plausible.
Briefly
discuss the meaning of "anthropomorphism"
and "teleology". Why is anthropomorphism something that scientists who
study animal behavior should avoid? Briefly discuss the meaning of the
term "uncertainty principle" as it applies to the scientific study of
animal
behavior.
In the US and Down Under, behavioral biologists don't talk so much
about Tinbergen's "four questions." We tend to use a dichotomy between
"proximate" and "ultimate" questions. where proximate questions are
about mechanisms of behavior and ultimate questions are about evolution
of behavior. Briefly discuss the relationship between Tinbergen's four
questions and the prozimte vs. ultimate dichotomy.
A behavioral biologist is conducting a study of the mating systems of three insect species. Two of these species are in the same family (in fact they are in the same subfamily), but they occupy different habitats. One of these species feeds and mates on or near the flowers of a certain species of shrub that is widespread and abundant, and that has a long flowering season. The other of these species feeds on the fruits of a different shrub species; these fruits are clumped or patchy in distribution, and are only abundant during a brief period when they ripen. Mating occurs when the females visit the fruits to feed. The third species is in a completely different insect order, but it also feeds on and mates at the fruits that the second species feeds on.
Briefly
discuss how this study makes
use of the comparative method. In what way does use of the comparative
method constitute a "natural experiment"? Describe the processes of
divergent
evolution and convergent evolution. What do you expect about the
outcome
of this study (e.g. which species do you think will be exhibit
similarities
in their mating systems? Which will be different?) What is the basis of
your expectation?
In Drosophila melanogaster, single genes often control particular behavioral phenotypes, and different behavioral phenotypes may have dramatic effects on individual reproductive success. In other species (for instance humans and other mammals) it is difficult to identify specific genes that control specific behavior patterns; rather many genes are involved in regulation of complex behavioral phenotypes. In the jargon of behavior genetics, we say that fruit flies are more "hardwired" genetically (for various phenotypic characteristics in addition to behavior) than are mammals. Briefly speculate on the ability of populations of different degrees of genetic control over behavior (or other phenotypes) to respond evolutionarily to selective pressures in the environment. What characteristics of populations other than the degree of "hardwiredness" might affect their ability to respond evolutionarily to environmental selection pressures?