ZOODSE - 602: Animal Behavior and Chronobiology (Theory)
Proximate causes of behaviour means ( what and how behaviour )
A proximate cause of behavior is the immediate trigger or mechanism that directly causes a particular behavior to occur. It can refer to physiological, environmental, or sensory factors that influence an animal's behavior in the present moment. It explains how a behavior occurs, but not necessarily why it occurs or how it benefits the animal in the long term.
The proximate causes of behavior refer to the immediate, underlying physiological, and genetic mechanisms that drive an animal's behavior. These causes can be divided into two categories: genetic and physiological.
Genetic proximate causes of behavior refer to the genetic makeup of an individual and how it influences behavior. The genetic basis of behavior is complex, and many genes can interact to produce a particular behavior. For example, certain genes may be responsible for the development of neural circuits that control aggression, while others may be responsible for the production of hormones that influence social behavior.
Physiological proximate causes of behavior refer to the immediate physiological mechanisms that underlie behavior. These mechanisms can include the release of hormones, the firing of neurons, or the activation of muscles. For example, the hormone oxytocin is known to play a role in social bonding and attachment behavior, while the release of dopamine in the brain is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
Overall, the proximate causes of behavior are important for understanding how and why animals behave the way they do. By studying these causes, researchers can gain insight into the mechanisms that drive behavior and how they are influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
Example
An example of a proximate cause of behavior would be the hormone cortisol in response to stress. Cortisol is released by the adrenal gland in response to stress and triggers a series of physiological changes that prepare the body to respond to a perceived threat. These changes can include an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate, as well as a decrease in digestion and immune function. The release of cortisol is an immediate physiological mechanism that underlies the behavior of the animal in response to stress.
Ultimate cause of behaviour means ( why behaviour )
Ultimate causes of behavior refer to the evolutionary reasons why a particular behavior has developed and how it confers an advantage to an organism in terms of survival and reproduction. There are four main categories of ultimate causes of behavior:
Adaptation: Behaviors that have evolved because they enhance survival and reproductive success. For example, the behavior of birds migrating to warmer climates during the winter months is an adaptation that increases their chances of survival.
Sexual selection: Behaviors that have evolved because they increase an organism's ability to attract a mate. For example, male peacocks displaying their elaborate tail feathers to attract a mate is a behavior driven by sexual selection.
Kin selection: Behaviors that have evolved because they increase the survival or reproductive success of relatives. For example, altruistic behavior such as warning calls in ground squirrels that alert relatives to danger can be explained by kin selection.
Phylogeny: Behaviors that have evolved because they are inherited from ancestors and are present in related species. For example, the behavior of snakes using venom to subdue their prey is a phylogenetic behavior that is shared by many species of snakes.
Understanding the ultimate causes of behavior is important for understanding the evolutionary history of a particular species and how its behaviors have evolved over time.
Example
An example of an ultimate cause of behavior is the behavior of female peacocks choosing mates based on the size and quality of the male's tail feathers. This behavior is driven by sexual selection, as it increases the chances of producing offspring with desirable traits. Female peacocks that choose males with larger, more elaborate tail feathers have a higher chance of producing offspring with similar traits, which in turn increases their chances of survival and reproductive success. Over time, this behavior has evolved and become more pronounced, leading to the characteristic extravagant tail feathers of male peacocks that we see today.
Methods and recording of a behaviour
Methods of studying and recording behavior depend on the species, the behavior being observed, and the research question being asked. However, some common methods and techniques used in behavioral research include:
Observational methods: This involves observing the behavior of animals in their natural habitat or in controlled laboratory settings. Observational methods can be either structured or unstructured, and can involve recording behavior in real-time or via video.
Experimental methods: This involves manipulating one or more variables to determine their effect on behavior. For example, researchers may use operant conditioning to train animals to perform a specific behavior, or use genetic manipulation to alter a specific gene and observe the resulting changes in behavior.
Neurobiological methods: These methods involve studying the neural and hormonal processes that underlie behavior, including the use of brain imaging techniques like fMRI, EEG, and PET scans.
Ethograms: An ethogram is a detailed catalog of all the behaviors displayed by a particular species, which can be used to record and analyze behavior over time.
Technology-based methods: Researchers may use technology such as GPS tracking, accelerometer sensors, and other advanced sensors to record and analyze behavior in a more precise and objective manner.
Recording of behavior can be done through different means, depending on the method of study and the research question being asked. Some common ways of recording behavior include:
Written notes: Observers may record their observations of behavior in a notebook or on a computer.
Audio recordings: This involves recording the sounds that animals make, which can provide insight into their behavior.
Video recordings: This involves recording behavior on video, which can provide a more complete and objective record of behavior than written notes.
Data loggers: These are electronic devices that can be attached to animals to record various types of data, such as temperature, movement, and activity levels.
Studying and recording behavior requires a combination of different methods and techniques, which depend on the species being studied, the behavior being observed, and the research question being asked.
