Language
Country/Area
No result found
Why do animals of the same species show completely different behavioral styles?
In the study of ecological behavior, behavioral syndrome refers to a group of related behavioral characteristics that are often displayed in a variety of situations. Through these patterns, we can observe the behavioral styles of animals of the same species in different environments. Is it caused by genetic influences or environmental conditions?
The concept of behavioral syndromes explains why some animals exhibit consistent behaviors in specific situations. For example, some lizards, such as Eulamprus heatwolei, have behavioral syndromes that show links between their territoriality, exploratory behavior, and strategies to avoid predation. Not only does this behavioral syndrome alarmingly affect the reproductive systems of these lizards, females paired with territorial males are more likely to produce offspring.
“The offspring of territorial males and territorial females have a better chance of surviving and reproducing. Males called ‘floaters’ are not territorial, but they can continue to produce larger offspring. ."
The history of behavioral syndromes can be traced back to the psychological literature. The term was originally used to describe behavioral disorders in humans, but after 2000, behavioral ecology began to redefine the concept and regard it as an important research fields.
The meaning of evolution
Behavioral ecologists generally believe that animal behavior is quite flexible and can quickly adapt to changes in the environment. However, the existence of behavioral syndromes means that certain behaviors may be restricted, giving rise to behavioral suboptimal situations during evolution. For example, some animals may choose to attack rather than run away, which is highly controversial in behavioral studies.
“The reasons for the persistence of behavioral syndromes can be summarized in four points: 1. Genetic linkage or other mechanical constraints, 2. The benefits of consistent behavior, 3. The advantages of specialization, 4. The possibility of social interaction Predictive."
These factors not only mitigate the costs associated with behavioral flexibility but may also explain why behavioral syndromes persist during evolution.
Mechanism of behavior
Scientists who study behavioral syndromes often focus on describing the types of behaviors. However, whether these behavioral types have a genetic basis is an element that cannot be ignored. Some research suggests that specific behavioral syndromes do have a genetic basis, which will influence their heritability. Recent research has revealed that body size, nest size and foraging behavior in laboratory mice can be studied separately and that genetic influences are underlying them.
In one example, a gene (for) in Drosophila melanogaster controls the foraging distance of larvae and its associated behavioral traits. Differences in these genes result in some individuals, called "Rover"s, being able to more actively exploit the environment when foraging, while other individuals, called "Sitters", exhibit relatively little foraging behavior.
"Recent studies have shown that fish exposed to predators exhibit different gene expression patterns, leading them to develop specific behavioral syndromes."
Common misunderstandings
Although the definition of behavioral syndromes is relatively simple, many misunderstandings remain. For example, not all behavioral syndromes must remain constant over a life span, nor do they necessarily have a genetic basis. Furthermore, the components of a behavioral syndrome do not necessarily involve multiple behaviors or situations.
Although these misunderstandings may not reflect the core definition of behavioral syndromes, they provide behavioral scholars with ideas for further research.
Can exploring the drivers behind animal behavior help us better understand differences between species?
