7 October 2021

What behavioural and evolutionary ecology is about?

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson Go Camping

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson decide to go on a camping trip. After dinner and a bottle of wine, they lay down for the night, and go to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.

Sherlok: "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."

Watson: "I see millions of stars."

Sherlok: "What does that tell you?"

Watson (pondered for a minute):

Watson: Astronomically, there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, Saturn is in Leo. Chronologically, it is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, God is all powerful, and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Holmes?

Sherlock was silent for a minute, then spoke:

Sherlock: "Watson, you idiot. Someone has stolen our tent!"

CORNERSTONE: behaviour/life-strategy


Tinbergen's 4 questions

Tinbergen's 4 questions - relationships

Tinbergen's 4 questions

Bateson P, Laland KN (2013) Tinbergens Four Questions and Review. Trends Ecol Evol 28:712–718

Another example

DVM - diel vertical migration


Light - proximate factor


Another example


DVM - diel vertical migration


Predation - ultimate factor


Gliwicz MZ (1986) Predation and the evolution of vertical migration in zooplankton. Nature 320:746–748

References

  • Bateson P, Laland KN (2013) Tinbergens Four Questions and Review. Trends Ecol Evol 28:712–718.

  • Gliwicz MZ (1986) Predation and the evolution of vertical migration in zooplankton. Nature 320:746–748