Question

There are several ways to explain why, when touched on the thorax, a moth will expose its shiny hindwings. For each explanation below, determine whether it i) focuses on a proximate or ultimate cause and ii) whether the explanation is genetic-developmental (G), physiological-psychological (P), evolutionary history (EH), or adaptive value (AV). (8 marks)

1. The behaviour is instinctive.

2. The shiny wings scare some predators away

3. The behaviour is the product of a special set of muscle contractions.

4. The behaviour is an exaggeration of wing movements that many moths use for raising their body temperatures to begin flying.

Answer 1

Answer:

a. The behavior is instinctive

explanation: proximate cause,

genetic-developmental : It is a specific genetic correlate

b. The shiny wings scare some predators away

explanation: ultimate cause - It means that mechanism directly underlying behavior , adaptive value

c. The behavior is the product of a special set of muscle contractions

explanation: proximate cause,

physiological-psychological explanation

d. The behavior is an exaggeration of wing movements that many moths use for raising their body temperatures to begin flying

explanation: ultimate cause,

evolutionary history