ZOODSE - 602: Animal Behavior and Chronobiology (Theory)
Stereotyped Behaviours
Stereotyped behaviors, also known as fixed action patterns, are innate,
genetically programmed, and highly predictable sequences of actions that
animals perform in response to specific stimuli. These behaviors are
rigid, automatic, and virtually unchangeable, once initiated. Stereotyped
behaviors are found in a wide range of animals, including insects, birds,
mammals, and fish, and are believed to be adaptive responses that have
evolved to ensure survival and reproduction.
Examples of stereotyped behaviors include the nest-building behavior of
birds, the grooming behavior of primates, the courtship behavior of many
species, and the escape behavior of fish in response to predators. In each
case, the behavior is triggered by a specific stimulus, such as the
presence of a potential mate or a predator, and follows a fixed sequence
of actions.
The study of stereotyped behaviors is important in ethology, the
scientific study of animal behavior, as it provides insight into the
evolutionary history and adaptive function of these behaviors. Researchers
use a variety of methods to record and analyze stereotyped behaviors,
including observation, video recording, and automated tracking systems. By
understanding the mechanisms and function of stereotyped behaviors,
scientists can gain a better understanding of the behavior of animals in
their natural environment and the factors that influence their survival
and reproduction.
Stereotyped Behaviours (Orientation, Reflexes);
Stereotyped behaviors are behaviors that are predictable and repetitive
in nature. They are innate behaviors that are observed in animals and
humans. Two common types of stereotyped behaviors are orientation
behaviors and reflexes.
Orientation behaviors are innate behaviors that allow an animal to
locate and respond to environmental cues. These behaviors are triggered
by stimuli such as light, sound, or smell. For example, a moth's
orientation behavior is triggered by the light of the moon and stars.
The moth will orient its flight path towards the light source to
maintain a straight course.
Reflexes are another type of stereotyped behavior. They are rapid and
automatic responses to specific stimuli. For example, the knee-jerk
reflex is a stereotyped behavior that occurs when a doctor taps a
patient's knee with a reflex hammer. The tapping of the hammer triggers
the reflex, causing the leg to jerk.
To record these behaviors, researchers use a variety of methods such as
direct observation, video recording, and automated sensors. These
methods allow researchers to quantify the frequency and duration of
stereotyped behaviors and to identify patterns of behavior that may be
indicative of underlying physiological or neurological processes.
Individual Behavioural patterns;
Individual behavioral patterns refer to the unique and consistent ways
in which an individual behaves in response to a variety of internal
and external factors. These patterns are influenced by a combination
of genetic and environmental factors and can vary greatly between
individuals of the same species. Some examples of individual
behavioral patterns include:
Activity levels: Some individuals may be naturally more active or
energetic than others.
Aggression: Individuals may vary in their propensity to engage in
aggressive behaviors, either towards conspecifics or other species.
Exploration: Some individuals may be more curious and exploratory,
while others may be more cautious and risk-averse.
Dominance: Within social groups, individuals may exhibit varying
degrees of dominance, which can influence their behavior towards other
group members.
Learning ability: Individuals may vary in their ability to learn from
experience and adapt their behavior accordingly.
Social behavior: Individuals may differ in their social behavior, such
as their tendency to form social bonds, engage in cooperative
behaviors, or exhibit territoriality.
Understanding individual behavioral patterns can be important for a
variety of reasons, such as predicting how individuals may respond to
changing environmental conditions or identifying potential problems
with certain individuals in captive or managed populations.
Instinct vs. Learnt Behaviour
Instinct and learned behavior are two types of behaviors that are
commonly observed in animals.
Instinctive behavior, also known as innate behavior, is a behavior
that is genetically programmed in an animal and is performed without
any prior experience or training. These behaviors are typically
adaptive and are essential for survival, reproduction, and other
biological functions. Examples of instinctive behaviors include birds
building nests, salmon swimming upstream to spawn, and dogs digging
holes to bury their bones.
Learned behavior, on the other hand, is a behavior that an animal
acquires through experience and practice. These behaviors are not
genetically programmed but are instead shaped by the environment and
the animal's past experiences. Learned behaviors are often more
flexible than instinctive behaviors, as animals can modify and adapt
them in response to changing circumstances. Examples of learned
behaviors include a dog learning to sit on command, a chimpanzee using
tools to extract food, and a bird learning to mimic the songs of other
birds.
In some cases, instinctive and learned behaviors can interact to
produce complex behaviors. For example, a bird's innate ability to
build a nest can be refined and improved through trial and error,
resulting in a more efficient and effective nest-building behavior.
Both instinctive and learned behaviors play important roles in animal
behavior and are shaped by genetic and environmental factors.
Instinct vs. Learnt Behaviour example
Instinctive behaviors:
Nest-building behavior in birds: Birds instinctively build nests without
being taught how to do so, and they build them in a specific way
according to their species.
Hatching behavior in sea turtles: Sea turtle hatchlings instinctively
know to crawl towards the ocean as soon as they emerge from their nests.
Migration behavior in monarch butterflies: Monarch butterflies
instinctively migrate thousands of miles to specific locations each year
without any prior knowledge or experience.
Learned behaviors:
Tool use in chimpanzees: Chimpanzees have been observed using sticks as
tools to retrieve food from hard-to-reach places. This behavior is
learned through trial and error and observation of other individuals.
Vocal communication in songbirds: Young songbirds learn their songs from
their parents or other adult birds, and they gradually refine their
vocalizations as they mature.
Problem-solving behavior in rats: Rats have been trained to solve mazes
and navigate complex environments in order to obtain food rewards. This
behavior is learned through trial and error and reinforcement.
