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Where we’ve come so far…
Animal Behavior Core Concepts:
• Tinbergen’s four categories of explanation
• Proximate and ultimate
• Individual, kin, and group selection
• Genes and experience
• Correlation versus causation
• Constraints on Evolution
• Animal Behavior methodologies
• Experimental Design; Ethics; Avoiding the Deadly Sins
Where we’ve come so far…
Animal Behavior Core Concepts
Common Assumptions that Need Correcting:
• Assuming evolution and natural selection are directional or purposeful
• Assuming we know the purpose of a phenotype (or why it evolved)
• Anthropomorphic assumptions and use of metaphors
• Assuming animals perceive the world the same way we do (Umwelt)
• Assuming animals are not affected by our presence
• Assumptions about sex roles
Where we’ve come so far…
Animal Behavior Core Concepts
Common Assumptions that Need Correcting
“Same Genotype, Different Phenotype”: Epigenetic effects on behavior
• Central Dogma
• Interactions between gene expression, nervous system, endocrine system,
and behavior
• Single gene effects (e.g., voles)
• Quantitative trait loci (behaviors affected by multiple genes)
• Inheritance
• Epigenetics
• Phenotypic plasticity
• Environmental sex determination and sex change
Where we’ve come so far…
Animal Behavior Core Concepts
Common Assumptions that Need Correcting
“Same Genotype, Different Phenotype”
“Same Population, Different Phenotype”: Ruff male polymorphisms
• Mating Systems
• B and C in Behavioral Ecology
• Polymorphisms
• Alternative reproductive strategies
• Condition-dependent and genetically determined (e.g., Supergene)
alternative strategies
• Maintenance of genetically-determined alternative strategies
• Developmental flexibility vs. developmental stability
• Behavioral syndromes (animal personalities)
Where we’ve come so far…
Animal Behavior Core Concepts
Common Assumptions that Need Correcting
“Same Genotype, Different Phenotype”
“Same Population, Different Phenotype”
“Same Population, Different Information”: Social learning in rats
• Single stimulus learning
• Conditioning
• Constraints on learning
• Social learning
• Teaching
• Information processing: Stimulus filtering, biased data analysis
• Information centers
• B & C of group living for foraging success
Where we are now:
Animal Behavior Core Concepts
Common Assumptions that Need Correcting
“Same Genotype, Different Phenotype”
“Same Population, Different Phenotype”
“Same Population, Different Information”
“Same Population, Different Interests”: Conflict between Conspecifics
Cooperation
Conflict: A behavior or behavioral interaction that is costly to one
individual and beneficial to another individual of the same species.
Sexual conflict
Intrasexual
competition
Parent-offspring
conflict
Sibling
conflict
Furness et al. 2015
Case Study: Sexual Cannibalism in Mantids
Concept Mapping
Cartooning Methods
Interpreting Data