Interested in NEUROSCIENCE? Then come out to the first meeting of the Learn about volunteer activities, speakers and lectures, grad and med school, research opportunities, and much, much more! FREE PIZZA! Interested, but can’t make it? Contact to sign up for our list! Thursday, February 15 at 6pm 229 Natural History Building

Exam 1, this Wednesday, 14-Feb. If you last name begins with A – L: 116 RAL (right here) If you last name begins with M – Z: 151 EVRT Announcements

Bring:#2 pencil Photo ID Student ID# NetID ( usually 1 st part of ) Arrive early Sit every other seat. No cell phones, no hats Neighbors will have different exams

Test Format 50 questions, multiple choice & T/F bonus questions (one short answer) 50 minutes

Test Material Any thing from lectures or text book is fair game Fact-based questions, concept application

Chapters from Book: 1, 2, 3, 5 Understand examples, terms (usually bolded), and be able to answer the discussion questions in each chapter (unless they require additional reading). Assigned Reading

Lecture 2: Foundations 1)Animal behavior is about interactions 2)History of animal behavior ethology  behaviorism  interdisciplinary 3)Founders & their contributions Tinbergen, Lorenz, von Frisch, Skinner 4)Instincts & sign stimuli Genetically programmed behavior vs. learned behavior

Lecture 3: Science Methods 1) Scientific method depends on TESTING hypothesis testing: supported, never “proven” 2) Approaches theoretical, experimental, comparative understand use of control, replication 3) Data & variation statistics, accuracy vs. precision, qualitative vs. quantitative (categorical) 4) Theory vs. law, evolution 5) Limitations of science

Lecture 4: Evolution 1)Definitions: diversity, population, gene, taxonomy, evolution, speciation, natural selection, coevolution 2) Mechanisms of evolution mutation, drift, migration, selection 3) 3 requirements for evolution by natural selection 4) Examples of evolution in action pepper moths, herbicide & antibiotic resistance 5) Group selection its limitations, and when it can occur 6) Adaptationist vs. Nonadaptationist explanations for behavior

Additional material from textbook: Make sure you understand the example with voles (Chap 1, page 4-8) under the heading “Understanding Monogamy”

Lecture 5: Proximate & Ultimate 1)Proximate & Ultimate questions 2)Gene x Environment interactions 3)Song learning: Proximate Developmental: environment (auditory & social) Physiological: neural circuitry, hormones 4)Song learning: Ultimate Attract mates, hold territories Probably evolved 3 times independently Evolves to suit ecological environment

What is the differences between Proximate and Ultimate questions? What is the distinction between Proximate and Ultimate causes? Proximate questions - how mechanisms responsible for interactions processes, mechanisms, “nuts and bolts” Ultimate questions - why how these interactions influence an individual's survival and reproduction. evolutionary reasons, fitness consequences

Tinbergen’s 4 questions Proximate causation: sensory motor mechanisms Ontogeny: interaction between genes and environment to shape behavior (development) Ultimate Causation: selective processes that shape behavior (function) Phylogeny: historical processes that shape behavior (constraints)

Additional material from textbook: Chapter 2: You do not have to memorize the names (or acronyms) for the neural components of the brian.

Lecture 6: Genetics I 1)Gene x Environment interactions 2)Classical vs.Operant conditioning 3)Innate behaviors, fixed action patterns. 4)Methods to quantify genetic component of behavior (including modern methods) 5)Know coefficients of relatedness between relatives. 6)Understand why it may be difficult to identify genes for behavior.

Lecture 7: Genetics II 1) Two ways that genetic variation (sequence vs. expression) can influence behavior. 2) Understand how microarrays work. 3) Understand basic principles behind division of labor in honey bees (types of behavior, ontogeny of behavior).

Additional material from textbook: You do not have to memorize the names of specific genes and their effects.

Lecture 8: Hormones 1)Know: What hormones are. Where are they made? What do they do? 2)Modes of hormone action 3)Organizational vs activational effects. 4)Hormones influence on behavior –Sexual behavior –Other behaviors –Understand that hormonal mechanisms are often conserved among species but can also differ among species.

Additional material from textbook: Make sure you understand proximate and ultimate mechanisms for temporal variation in behavior (Chap 5, page ) under the heading “Behavioral Schedules”

Lecture 9: Development 1) Understand the proximate and ultimate reasons for developmental flexibility and developmental homeostasis. 2) Know the different mechanisms of kin discrimination. 3) Understand fluctuating asymmetry and its causes.

What is the difference between developmental homeostasis and flexibility? What evidence exists to prove these two things? What are their benefits?

Developmental flexibility: a change in the development & production of a behavior based on variation in environment. Examples: learned behaviors, hormonal effects on behaviors, just about everything except behavioral differences due entirely to genetic differences! Proximate reason: It occurs as a result of genotype by environment interactions on developing traits.

trait (phenotype) environmental variation

trait (phenotype) environmental variation

trait (phenotype) environmental variation

trait (phenotype) environmental variation

Why does developmental flexibility exist? Ultimate reason: Flexibility can account for important, but variable environmental conditions, leading to increased fitness under different conditions.

Anolis lizards: morphology of hind legs changes when raised on large trunks or small branches. trait = hind limb length env. var. = branch width Fitness benefits = lizards faster when limb length matches branch width. (escape, prey capture)

Normal vs. cannibal forms in tiger salamanders Individuals can develop as normal predatory larvae or switch over to a cannibal form. Switch to cannibalism affected by: Population density Size differences Drying of water source Genetic relatedness to others Prop. cannibals density or drying rate Fitness benefits = cannibals have more prey, grow faster (cost = spread disease, more conspicuous to predators).

Developmental homeostasis: Development of specific behaviors despite variation in environment This category includes, but is not limited to innate behaviors Proximate reason: Developmental process not influenced by environmental variation.

Why does developmental homeostasis exist? Ultimate Reason: Homeostasis reduces the chance of devastating developmental errors due to environmental deficits/changes. For example, regardless of environmental conditions, tadpoles still need to metamorphose into frogs.

Lecture 10: Recognition 1) Know the different types of recognition systems (what they do). 2) Know how they work. 3) Understand the components of recognition systems. 4) Understand Optimal Threshold Models for recognition.

Lecture 11: Coevolution Coevolution: The occurrence of genetically determined traits in two or more species selected by the mutual interactions controlled by these traits. Species interactions where coevolution is likely to occur: Predation, Competition, Mutualisms and Mating (hybridization) Character displacement: when the expression of a character (i.e., behavior) changes when species occur together (sympatry) due to competition or reproductive isolation.

Co-evolution in Mating Optimal threshold model – what can be modified to avoid hybridization? –Call modification vs. call perception (signaler vs. receiver) The developmental plasticity of a trait can in fact be considered a trait in its own right.

Arms races – constrained Red Queen Effect – running in place Pred/Prey and Parasite/Host – sensory tuning and mimicry of cues Mutualisms –Obligate vs. facultative –Trophic, Dispersive, Defensive Mutualisms as major stepping stones in evolution Evidence for co-evolution (demonstrate genetic changes invoked by species interactions)