Animal Behavior and Sign Stimuli

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Questions and Answers

What behaviour does the female greylag goose exhibit when presented with an egg outside her nest?

She attempts to build a new nest.

She retrieves the egg using a programmed sequence. (correct)

She displays aggressive behaviour towards the egg.

She ignores the egg completely.

What happens if the egg slips away during the retrieval attempt?

The goose displays a defensive posture.

The goose continues the retrieval movement until settled. (correct)

The goose quickly searches for another egg.

The goose stops the retrieval process altogether.

What is a triggering stimulus in animal behaviour?

A reward that reinforces positive behaviour.

An environmental signal that initiates a specific innate behaviour. (correct)

A complex learned behaviour that requires instruction.

Any random occurrence in an animal's environment.

Which characteristic best describes stereotypical behavior?

Orderly and predictable actions performed in sequence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the red underside of the male three spined stickleback?

It acts as a releaser for aggressive behaviour. Signup and view all the answers

How does stereotyped behaviour benefit animals in terms of survival?

It helps animals respond quickly to essential environmental signals. Signup and view all the answers

What observation did Tinbergen and Lorenz make regarding the greylag goose's retrieval behaviour?

It is similar to a robotic function that must complete its cycle. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a triggering stimulus?

A flash of lightning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of social behaviour among animals?

It results from the response of one animal to another of the same species. Signup and view all the answers

What type of bond lasts a lifetime among some animal species?

Monogamous bonds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the benefit of social aggregations in relation to predator defense?

Aggregations provide both passive and active defense against predators. Signup and view all the answers

How do large colonies of birds contribute to reproductive success?

By synchronizing reproductive behaviours through social stimulation. Signup and view all the answers

What type of animal groupings are considered non-social?

Moths attracted to light Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reproductive benefit of sociality among animals?

It facilitates encounters between sexes, reducing energy expenditure. Signup and view all the answers

Why do musk-oxen form a defensive circle when threatened?

To protect the young in the center. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the social behavior of animals?

Social interactions are necessary for some species to achieve fertilization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the elaborate pair-bonding displays of blue-footed boobies?

To maintain a strong pair-bond between the male and female Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive ability was demonstrated by the chimpanzee named Washoe?

The capability to use sign language to communicate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes animal cognition?

Mental functions including perception, thinking, and memory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a subdivision of the biosphere?

Biosphere Signup and view all the answers

What role do producers, such as green plants, play in the biosphere?

They directly provide building materials for life Signup and view all the answers

How are populations of organisms affected according to the dynamics of the biosphere?

They adapt to changes through evolutionary processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of life, death, decay, and recreation in the biosphere?

They reflect cycles of existence since life began Signup and view all the answers

Which animal behavior exemplifies the use of displays to communicate?

The songs of the white-crowned sparrow Signup and view all the answers

What defines a biome primarily?

The dominant plant formation Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is not a factor in determining the distinctiveness of a biome?

Animal migration patterns Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the lithosphere?

The lithosphere is the outer rocky material of Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ecocline?

A continuous gradient where dominant plants of adjacent biomes are mixed Signup and view all the answers

Which biome is characterized by deciduous, broad-leaved trees that shed their leaves in winter?

Temperate deciduous forest Signup and view all the answers

What causes global variation in climate?

The uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun Signup and view all the answers

Where is the strongest warming effect from the sun observed?

At the equator Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not considered a principal terrestrial biome?

Aquatic biomes Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinctive feature of tropical forests?

A stratification of life into multiple feeding strata Signup and view all the answers

Why do tropical forests have poor soil despite their lush vegetation?

Nutrients are quickly consumed by plants and not retained Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the grasslands of North America?

Dominated by monocultures due to human activities Signup and view all the answers

Which animals are mentioned as part of the ground strata in tropical forests?

Capybara and members of the pig family Signup and view all the answers

What climatic conditions characterize tundra regions?

Cold temperatures and a short growing season Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the soil in tropical forests once the plants are removed?

It forms a hard crust known as laterite Signup and view all the answers

Which animals are listed as mammalian predators on the North American prairie?

Coyotes, ferrets, and badgers Signup and view all the answers

What is the annual temperature range for the North American prairie?

10° C to 20° C Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Greylag Goose Behavior

Female greylag geese exhibit a stereotypical egg-rolling behavior when an egg is placed near their nest.
The retrieval process continues even if the egg is removed or rolls away, suggesting a pre-programmed sequence of actions.
Tinbergen's experiments indicated greylag geese are not selective; any smooth object outside the nest can trigger egg-retrieval behavior.
This behavior is categorized as a sign stimulus, which initiates an innate behavioral response.

Sign Stimuli and Responses

Various examples illustrate different sign stimuli: herring gull chicks freeze to alarm calls, while nocturnal moths evade bats upon hearing ultrasonic calls.
Male three-spined sticklebacks react aggressively to the red underside of rival males, confirming the effectiveness of specific stimuli in behavior release.
Pre-programmed behaviors, once initiated, allow quick responses crucial for survival and reproduction.

Social behavior arises from interactions between members of the same species, encompassing activities like herding or shoaling.
Aggregations like moths attracted to lights are not inherently social; true social groups exhibit mutual influences.
Cooperative breeding can strengthen social bonds, seen in species like swans and albatrosses that form lifelong partnerships.
Collective defense mechanisms are evident in species like musk-oxen, and alarm calls from gulls encourage group defense strategies.

Reproductive Benefits of Sociality

Social structures facilitate mating encounters and synchronize reproductive behaviors through mutual stimulation.
Larger colonies of birds tend to produce more offspring due to increased social interaction and synchronization during breeding.

Displays and Communication

Mating displays, such as pair-bonding rituals of blue-footed boobies and courtship dances of the sage grouse, enhance reproductive success through clear communication.
Diverse signaling mechanisms like the songs of white-crowned sparrows and female moth sex attractants highlight effective communication methods in animal behavior.

Animal Cognition

Animal cognition encompasses mental functions like perception, thinking, and memory, with parallels drawn to human cognitive abilities.
Non-human primates like the chimpanzee Washoe, capable of using sign language, illustrate advanced cognitive skills in animals.

The Biosphere

The biosphere describes the interconnected relationship between organisms and their environment, encompassing physical systems and life cycles.
The lithosphere (rock), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (gases) define non-living components of the biosphere, with all life existing within narrow environmental thresholds.

Terrestrial Environments and Biomes

Biomes are major ecosystems characterized by specific plant and animal life, influenced by climate, temperature, and rainfall.
Key biomes include temperate deciduous forests, which feature trees like oak and maple, and tropical forests, known for their biodiversity and stratified life forms.

Characteristics of Tropical and Grassland Biomes

Tropical forests have complex food webs and a rich diversity of plant and animal species, despite poor soil quality due to rapid nutrient recycling.
Grasslands, such as American prairies, have undergone significant ecological change due to human activity, impacting native plant and animal populations.

Climate and its Effect on Biomes

Climate variability is driven by solar heating, creating different terrestrial biomes ranging from temperate forests to cold tundras.
Tundra regions face extreme cold and short growing seasons, with minimal precipitation and long periods of frozen soil.

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Description

Explore the fascinating behaviors displayed by greylag geese and other animals in response to various sign stimuli. This quiz delves into innate behaviors, aggressive responses, and the importance of these actions for survival and reproduction. Test your understanding of animal behavior through specific examples and experimental findings.