General Behaviour Stuff/ Domestication

Behaviour is influenced by genotype, experience, and environment. Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an individual, which can influence certain traits and behaviors. Environment includes external factors such as the physical surroundings, social interactions, and cultural influences that can shape behavior. However, experience plays a crucial role in behavior as it encompasses the individual's personal encounters, learning, and exposure to various stimuli. Experience can modify and shape behavior over time, leading to the development of certain patterns or responses.

The explanation for the given correct answer, which is False, is that taming is not the process of changing a species genotype. Taming refers to the domestication of animals, which involves selectively breeding them over generations to develop traits that are favorable for living with humans. Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, and taming does not involve altering the genetic makeup of a species. Therefore, the statement in the question is incorrect.

Tinbergen's questions relate to four aspects of behavior: phylogeny, function, ontogeny, and immediate causation. Phylogeny refers to the evolutionary history and ancestry of a behavior, function refers to the purpose or adaptive significance of a behavior, ontogeny refers to the development of a behavior within an individual's lifetime, and immediate causation refers to the immediate triggers or mechanisms that elicit a behavior. These four aspects provide a comprehensive framework for studying and understanding animal behavior.

When animals are domesticated, they undergo certain changes. Neoteny refers to the retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood, which can occur in domesticated animals. Reduction in size is another common change seen in domesticated animals compared to their wild counterparts. Domestication can also lead to increased testicular size, longer breeding seasons, and fat deposition in animals. Additionally, domestication can result in color variation among individuals of the same species. Therefore, the correct answer includes neoteny, reduction in size, color variation, increased testicular size, longer breeding season, and fat deposition.

Certain species were domesticated because they are social, promiscuous, have a short flight distance, are generalized feeders, can live in a wide variety of environments, and have precocial young. Domestication of social species allowed humans to form bonds and work together with these animals. Promiscuous species were easier to breed and control. Species with a short flight distance were easier to confine and control. Generalized feeders could adapt to different diets provided by humans. Species that can live in a wide variety of environments were easier to transport and adapt to different regions. Precocial young allowed for easier management and control during the domestication process.

The available niches for domesticated species include protection, pest control, research, food, sport, drafting/farming, and communication. Domesticated species can be utilized for protection purposes, such as guard dogs or security animals. They can also be trained for pest control, helping to manage and eliminate pests in various environments. Domesticated species are often used in research for scientific purposes and experimentation. They can provide a source of food, such as livestock for meat, dairy, or eggs. Some domesticated species are bred and trained for sport, such as horse racing or dog shows. Drafting/farming involves using domesticated animals for tasks like pulling carts or plowing fields. Lastly, certain species can be trained for communication purposes, such as guide dogs for the visually impaired.