What type of learning is likely to be involved in developing the skill to assess different predator threats? Again, provide examples from the literature. (600 words)

BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY

Read the following instructions carefully:

• Your answer should be accompanied by a full reference list (Harvard format).
• Please answer all sections of this paper – maximum word counts for each section are given below. References are not included in the final word count.

Seyfert et al. (1980) published a pioneering paper exploring whether vervet monkeys could distinguish between different species of predators, by inferring meaning from alarm calls.

A PDF version of this paper is provided with the assessment – please read it carefully.

1. What is the adaptive advantage of being able to distinguish between different types of predators? Illustrate your answer with examples from the literature, describing other species which use visual and acoustic cues to discriminate between predators. (800 words)

1. Using the literature from section (a) discuss the traits (e.g. life history, social structure, morphology, behaviour) which are common to species demonstrating predator-discrimination abilities. (600 words)

1. What type of learning is likely to be involved in developing the skill to assess different predator threats? Again, provide examples from the literature. (600 words)

Reference: Seyfarth, R.M., Cheney, D.L., & Marler, P. (1980). Monkey responses to three different alarm calls: evidence of predator classification and semantic communication. Science, 210: 801-803.