A group of actually or potentially interbreeding organisms that are more or less isolated from other such groups
Species
Consists of a group of spatially separated populations of the same species which interact at some level
Metapopulations
Number of animals per unit area
Density
Number of eggs produced/female/unit time (potential productivity)
Fecundity
Number of individuals reaching reproductive maturity
Recruitment
The maximum number of individuals that can be sustained by the environment over time without causing damage to the environment
K carrying capacity
Factors that affect populations not related to how many individuals/area are in that population
Density-independent factors
Factors that affect populations directly related to the number of individuals/area in that population
Density dependent factors
Point at which the population has the highest growth potential
Maximum sustained yield
The scientific study of animal behavior and a sub topic of zoology
Ethology
The specific environmental setting a species occupies and the functional role it plays in the habitat
Niche
A way in which a group is structured in relation to sexual behavior
Mating system
One male has an exclusive relationship with two or more females
Polygyny
One female has an exclusive relationship with two or more males
Polyandry
Two or more males have an exclusive relationship with two or more females; the numbers of males and females need not be equal
Polygyandry
Specifies how some object or organism is located in space in relation to some reference object
Spatial relation
The area where an animal lives and travels
Home range
an area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends against cospecifics
Territory
Refers to species movement away from an existing population or away from the parent organism
Dispersal
Individuals move permanently away from the birth area
Natal dispersal
Adults relocated between breeding attempts
Breeding dispersal
Remaining and breeding in the natal area
Philopatry
The relatively long distance movement of individuals usually on a seasonal basis
Migration
A field of biology that examines periodic phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar and lunar related rhythms
Biological rhythm or chronobiology
Rhythms with a period of about 24 hrs
Circadian
Rhythms have a period of a heat
Circannual
Rhythms with a period of less than 24 hrs
Ultradian
All interactions that transmit information between animals
Communication
More variable and displayed by their intensity, like openings of mouth
Graded signals
Sent in a simple manner, flattening ears
Discrete signals
Two or more signals form this
Composite signals
Changing the sequence of signals
Syntax
Changing the surroundings/situation of signals
Context
A group of individuals of the same species that is organized in a cooperative manner, extending beyond sexual and parental behavior
Society
Behavior directed towards society or taking place between members of the same species
Social behavior
Cold-blooded, require less energy
Ectotherms
Warm-blooded, require more energy
Endotherms
Digests cellulose
Biological fermentation
Fast energy source
Carbohydrates
Twice the energy of carbs
Fats (lipids)
Good indicator of diet quality; growth and body function; energy equivalent to carbs
Proteins
Diverse biochemical functions
Vitamins
Where 2 or more habitats meet
edge
Increase in abundance where two habitats meet
Edge effect
Water is densest at what temperature?
4 degrees Celsius
Water freezes at
Zero degrees Celsius
Water density stuff matters because
Ice can float and aquatic organisms are safe from freezing
A collection of individuals of the same species occupying a defined area during a specific time
Population
Process by which soil particles are detached from their original site, transported, and eventually deposited at a new location
Soil erosion
Tendency of certain chemicals to accumulate or build up within food chains
Biomagnification