Tag: Animal Behavior
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Behavioral Sink
John B. Calhoun’s concept of a behavioral sink illustrates how overcrowding and resource abundance lead to the breakdown of typical social and behavioral patterns in populations, marked by changes like increased aggression and social withdrawal. This phenomenon highlights the complex interplay between environmental factors and population dynamics.
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Universe 25
The Universe 25 experiment, conducted by John B. Calhoun in 1972, examined behavioral changes in mice due to overpopulation within a resource-abundant environment. It traced the transition from rapid population growth to decline, underscoring the effects of high density on social structures.
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Ant Mill
In an “Ant Mill,” ants trapped in a loop demonstrate the limits of instinctual navigation, highlighting the balance between efficient communication and the risks of collective reliance.
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Batesian Mimicry
In Batesian Mimicry, a harmless species evolves to resemble a harmful one, thereby deterring predators. First articulated in 19th-century scientific research, this form of mimicry is governed by natural selection and frequently manifests in regions of high ecological diversity.
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Müllerian Mimicry
In Müllerian mimicry, various harmful or unpalatable species come to resemble each other, amplifying mutual protection against predators. This adaptation arises from evolutionary pressures and has substantial impact on ecosystems and species interactions.
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Umwelt
Umwelt theory suggests each organism experiences a unique, subjective universe based on its abilities to perceive and interact with its environment. This concept, influencing fields like ecology and cognitive science, asserts that organisms actively shape their perceptual worlds, with implications for understanding evolution.
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The Extended Phenotype by Richard Dawkins
“The Extended Phenotype” by Richard Dawkins expands the concept of phenotype to include a gene’s effects on its environment. The book explores gene-centric evolution, the relationship between genotype and phenotype, and the complexities of natural selection.