A.6: AHL - Ethology

Essential idea: Natural selection favours specific types of behaviour.

Nature of science:

• Testing a hypothesis—experiments to test hypotheses on the migratory behaviour of blackcaps have been carried out. (1.9)

Understandings:

• Ethology is the study of animal behaviour in natural conditions.

• Natural selection can change the frequency of observed animal behaviour.

• Behaviour that increases the chances of survival and reproduction will become more prevalent in a population.

• Learned behaviour can spread through a population or be lost from it more rapidly than innate behaviour.

Applications and skills:

• Application: Migratory behaviour in blackcaps as an example of the genetic basis of behaviour and its change by natural selection.

• Application: Blood sharing in vampire bats as an example of the development of altruistic behaviour by natural selection.

• Application: Foraging behaviour in shore crabs as an example of increasing chances of survival by optimal prey choice.

• Application: Breeding strategies in coho salmon populations as an example of behaviour affecting chances of survival and reproduction.

• Application: Courtship in birds of paradise as an example of mate selection.

• Application: Synchronized oestrus in female lions in a pride as an example of innate behaviour that increases the chances of survival and reproduction of offspring.

• Application: Feeding on cream from milk bottles in blue tits as an example of the development and loss of learned behaviour.

Guidance:

• The seven applications in this sub-topic are intended to reinforce understanding of the general principles. The applications include a range of types of behaviour and types of animal. Other examples, including local examples that can be observed, should also be studied if possible.