Ethology and Sampling Methods in Animal Behavior

Questions and Answers

What is a primary food source for the greenside darter?

Small invertebrates (correct)

Aquatic plants

Fish eggs

Plankton

What distinguishes escolar behavior from shoaling?

Fish only come together during mating seasons

Fish chase each other aggressively

Fish swim in unison and direction (correct)

Fish swim apart but stay in the same area

Which threat directly contributes to changes in fish populations in Ohio?

Invasive species

Water temperature shifts

Natural disasters

Overfishing (correct)

What term describes the loose grouping of fish often for social reasons?

Shoaling Signup and view all the answers

What are myomeres in fish?

Contracting muscles on either side of the body Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of fisheries management found in Ohio?

Monitoring and fishing regulations Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of movement used by swimming fish?

Undulation and oscillation Signup and view all the answers

What is one possible benefit of fish shoaling?

Improved camouflage from predators Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of lampreys?

Cartilaginous skeleton Signup and view all the answers

What evolutionary adaptation likely contributed to the way jaws evolved?

Pharyngeal arches Signup and view all the answers

Which class of vertebrates is characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton?

Chondrichthyes Signup and view all the answers

What features do jawed vertebrates in the Superclass Gnathostomata generally possess?

Jaws and paired appendages Signup and view all the answers

What type of fin is characteristic of sharks?

Heterocercal fin Signup and view all the answers

How does the swim bladder in most fishes aid in buoyancy control?

It expands and displaces more water Signup and view all the answers

What is one freshwater lamprey species recognized in Ohio?

Least brook lamprey Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a placoderm from an ostracoderm?

Possession of a jaw Signup and view all the answers

What role does the swim bladder play in a fish's buoyancy?

It helps the fish float by increasing buoyancy. Signup and view all the answers

How does respiration primarily occur in fish gills?

By the flow of water over gill filaments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of the countercurrent exchange system in fish gills?

It maximizes the absorption of oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What is one function of the lateral line system in fish?

To detect pressure waves caused by water flow. Signup and view all the answers

How do freshwater teleost fish maintain homeostasis regarding water and salt regulation?

Through active absorption and excretion of dilute urine. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Superclass of bony fishes called?

Osteichthyes Signup and view all the answers

During which geologic period is known as the Age of the Fishes?

Devonian Period Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Class of ray-finned fishes?

Their bony skeletons. Signup and view all the answers

Why is continuous sampling not suitable for observing large groups of animals?

It focuses on one animal at a time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about instantaneous sampling is correct?

It is most effective for studying animal states. Signup and view all the answers

What significant structural feature is characteristic of protostomes?

The initial opening in the embryo develops into the mouth. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes a characteristic of phylum Chordata?

Presence of pharyngeal slits. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the notochord in chordates?

It provides structure during early development. Signup and view all the answers

How do deuterostomes differ from protostomes in their embryonic development?

The anus forms from the blastopore instead. Signup and view all the answers

What are the energy-saving benefits of fish in schools?

Fish in the middle save the most energy. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term dioecious refer to in teleost fishes?

Fish of different sexes are found in separate individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly defines states and events in animal behavior?

States are behaviors of long durations; events are behaviors of short durations. Signup and view all the answers

Which stage is NOT part of the general life cycle of a teleost fish?

Zygote Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the endostyle in chordates?

To aid in filter feeding and potentially develop into the thyroid gland. Signup and view all the answers

What reproductive process is characterized by external fertilization in teleosts?

Fertilization occurs outside the female's body. Signup and view all the answers

Why are most teleost fishes described as gonochoristic?

They are either male or female throughout their lives. Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of deforestation in Ohio’s riparian corridors?

Reduction in water quality due to pollution. Signup and view all the answers

What impact do fish in the front of a school typically have regarding their energy use?

They exert more energy and may increase their metabolic rate. Signup and view all the answers

How can community members address the issue of deforestation affecting fish habitats?

Advocate for species and participate in local council meetings. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sampling Methods

Completing one or two sampling periods is insufficient for reliable hypothesis testing on species behavior.
Improving sampling involves increasing the number of sampling periods and including varied times and conditions.

Ethogram and Behavior Types

Ethogram is a catalog of animal behaviors.
Continuous sampling observes one focal animal for defined periods; effective for studying both states and events but not suitable for large groups.
Instantaneous sampling records behaviors at specific pre-set times; ideal for observing large groups and focuses on states.

Characteristics of Vertebrates

Kingdom Animalia members are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms with specialized tissues.
Protostomes develop the mouth first, contrasted with deuterostomes where the anus forms first, with different cleavage patterns.
Synapomorphic characters in Phylum Chordata include:
- Notochord: Provides developmental support.
- Dorsal hollow nerve cord: Develops into the central nervous system.
- Pharyngeal slits: Function in filter feeding and gill development in fish.
- Post-anal tail: Extends beyond the anus.
- Endostyle/Thyroid gland: Mucus-producing groove, precursors to thyroid.

Lampreys

Key characteristics: Jawless, cartilaginous skeleton, dorsal fins, and gill slits; feed by suction with teeth.
Species in Ohio: Sea lamprey (parasitic) and least brook lamprey (freshwater).

Superclass of Jawed Vertebrates

Superclass Gnathostomata encompassing jawed organisms.
Key features: Jaws, paired appendages, vertebrae, and separate sexes.
Jaws likely evolved from pharyngeal arches, enhancing predation.

Osteichthyes

Main characteristics: Bony ossified endoskeleton, operculum for gill protection, and swim bladder for buoyancy.
Water is denser and more viscous than air, affecting fish physiology.
Swim bladder adjusts buoyancy through volume changes: expansion increases buoyancy, while deflation decreases it.

Gill Functionality

Gills allow for gas exchange; water flows over gill filaments where oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide expulsion occur.
Countercurrent exchange enhances respiratory efficiency.

Lateral Line System

A sensory system that detects pressure waves in water; crucial for avoiding injury and preying on other organisms.

Homeostasis in Teleost Fish

Freshwater fish maintain water and salt levels via active absorption and dilute urine.
Marine fish experience increased salt levels and less dilute urine.

Geological Significance

Devonian Period known as the "Age of Fishes," occurring approximately 3.5 to 4 million years ago.

Diverse Fish Classes

Superclass Osteichthyes includes Classes Actinopterygii (ray-finned) and Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned).
Most species-rich class is Insects.

Threats to Fish

Overfishing and global warming are significant threats.
Overfishing disrupts population recovery; global warming exacerbates environmental stressors.

Fish Swimming Behavior

Swimming methods include undulation and oscillation; diverse utilization of fins is evident.
Shoaling: loose grouping for social interaction; Schooling: coordinated swims for advantages in predation avoidance and foraging.

Life Cycle of Teleost Fish

Consists of four main stages: egg, larva, juvenile, and adult.

Reproductive Terms

Dioecious: separate male and female organisms.
External fertilization: fertilization occurs outside the female body.
Oviparity: reproductive method involving egg-laying.

Current Issues in Fish Conservation

Deforestation of riparian corridors threatens aquatic ecosystems.
Solutions include advocacy for sustainable practices and active participation in local environmental initiatives.
Importance: essential for maintaining biodiversity and supporting food chains.

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Description

This quiz explores concepts related to sampling periods in ethological studies. Learn how continuous and instantaneous sampling methods can impact the understanding of animal behaviors and state durations. It also delves into improving sampling approaches for more reliable results.