Adaptive features of the structure and behavior of animals table. Adaptive behavior of animals

Adaptive features structure, body coloring and behavior of animals (accompanying material for the lesson general biology according to the textbook by N.I. Sonin V.B. Zakharov. 9th grade).

Fitness. Body shape. TYPES OF ADAPTATION VALUE EXAMPLES Body shape: - torpedo-shaped - knot-shaped, leaf-shaped - bizarre Helps to avoid the formation of turbulence Sharks, dolphins of water flows when moving Makes the body invisible among certain objects Stick insects, moth caterpillars of the environment Hides among algae, coral polyps Seahorses, anglerfish

Body shape - Torpedo-shaped Promotes the formation of turbulence in water flows when moving. sharks dolphins

Streamlined body shape Peregrine falcon Streamlined body shape promotes rapid movement in air environment. eagle penguin Duck swan woodpecker Birds: peregrine falcon, eagle, penguin, duck, swan, woodpecker.

Body shape Stick insects cricket cicada filly - The knot-like and leaf-shaped body shape makes the organism invisible among environmental objects.

Body Shape - Fancy Clown Anglerfish pipefish body shape Hides among algae, coral polyps representatives depths of the sea. toad fish

Fitness. Body coloring. TYPES OF ADAPTATION VALUE EXAMPLES Body coloring: - protective Hides against the background of the environment Mountain hare, partridge, green grasshopper, aphids - dismembering The same against the background of stripes of light and shadow Zebras, tigers - warning Preservation of the number of species that have poisonous, burning, stinging properties Bees, wasps, blister beetles, caterpillars, ladybugs Mimicry (imitation of defenseless animals is good Protection from extermination by protected animals and those with warning colors) Needles, spines, crystals of potassium oxalate, Protection from eating herbivores that accumulate in spines or animal leaves of plants Hard integument of the body Protection from being eaten by carnivores. Wasps, bees, bumblebees; eggs laid by cuckoos Cacti, rose hips, hawthorn, nettles Beetles, crabs, bivalves, turtles, armadillos

Changing and dissected coloration tigers chameleon octopus Zebras squid flounder - Changing protective coloration Hides against the background of the environment. - Dismembering Hides in the environment against the background of stripes of light and shadow.

Solid color green grasshopper Nest of the plover aphid antelope lion Solid protective color Hides against the background of the environment.

Adaptive coloration changing protective coloration Hides against the background of the environment, changes depending on the season. arctic fox ermine hare

Warning coloring Preservation of the number of species that have poisonous, burning, stinging properties. Bees ladybug beetles blister beetles caterpillars soldier bug

Mimicry Protection from extermination Wasp - Wasp bee bumblebee Danaid butterfly beekeeper bumblebee butterfly Nymphal butterfly

Fitness. Protective devices TYPES OF ADAPTATION VALUE EXAMPLES Protective devices: Needles, spines, crystals of potassium oxalate, Protection from being eaten by herbivores Cacti, rose hips, accumulating in spines or animals hawthorn, nettle leaves of plants Hard integument of the body Needles Beetles, crabs, bivalves Protection from eating by carnivores mollusks, turtles, animals armadillos Protection from being eaten by carnivores Echidnas, porcupines, hedgehogs

Protective devices Cacti rose hips nettle hawthorn - Needles, spines, crystals of potassium oxalate accumulating in the spines or leaves of plants Serve as protection against being eaten by herbivores.

Protective devices. Needles. hedgehogs porcupines Echidna Hedgehog fish - Needles, spines, often accumulating toxic substances. Protection from being eaten by carnivores.

Hard coverings Hard coverings of the body Protection from being eaten by carnivorous animals. Beetles crabs turtles bivalves armadillos

Fitness. Adaptive behavior TYPES OF ADAPTATION MEANING EXAMPLES Adaptive behavior: - freezing - threatening pose - storing food Protection from being eaten by herbivores The same Experience of starvation Possums, some beetles, amphibians, birds Bearded lizard, long-eared round-headed nutcracker, jay, chipmunk, squirrel, pika (haybird)

Freezing pose Possum beetles - Freezing is an imitation of injury or death. gray toad newt crested bittern bustard

Threatening pose Bearded lizard long-eared roundhead Skunk Mantis - Threatening pose is a deterrent behavior, often very characteristic of poisonous and stinging forms.

Fitness. Caring for offspring. TYPES OF ADAPTATION VALUE EXAMPLES Caring for offspring: - bearing eggs in the oral cavity, Preserving offspring in a fold of skin on the abdomen Males of tilapia, sea catfish, seahorse- construction of a nest and breeding in it Preservation of offspring Some fish (sticklebacks, cockerels, macropods), birds, squirrels, baby mice - feeding of offspring, Preservation of offspring, provision of future offspring with food Birds, mammals, scarab beetles, equestrians.

Bearing offspring - Bearing eggs in the mouth, in a fold of skin on the abdomen Preservation of offspring sea catfish Male tilapia seahorse

Breeding oriole cockerels - Building a nest and breeding offspring in it. Preservation of offspring. stickleback wagtail stork squirrels baby mice

Feeding offspring lions swan - Feeding offspring, providing future offspring with food. Raccoon raccoon Scarab beetles. flamingo riders.

Biology lesson notes, grade 9

Topic: “Adaptive features of the structure, body color and behavior of animals”

Target: get acquainted with different types of adaptation of living organisms to their environment, understand the relative nature of adaptability.

Tasks:

Educational:

To form a concept about the mechanisms of the emergence of fitness as a result of evolution;

Continue to develop the ability to use knowledge of theoretical principles to explain phenomena observed in living nature;

To develop specific knowledge about the adaptive features of the structure, body color and behavior of animals, to reveal the relative nature of the adaptations

Educational:

Develop interest in studying biology, broaden your horizons about patterns in nature through situational communication;

Develop students' creative abilities through self-creation computer presentation using illustrative material found on the Internet.

develop the intellectual sphere: attention, memory, speech, thinking;

Educational:

continue to develop an ecological culture among schoolchildren, a belief in the need to preserve the species diversity of plants and animals.

lead to conclusions about the natural causes of the formation of adaptations, using the doctrine of driving forces evolution;

broaden the horizons of students.

№ lesson	Lesson topic	UUD	Subject results	Meta-subject results	Personal results
	Adaptation of organisms to conditions external environment as a result of natural selection	Information competence extraction of primary information (level 1), Establishing cause-and-effect relationships between adaptations of organisms and their environment. (level 2)	to form a concept about adaptations of organisms, teach to name and identify various adaptations develop the ability to apply acquired knowledge to determine the fitness of organisms.	Continue mastering the most important subject skills (reason your answer, define terms, analyze, summarize the information received) continue to develop the development of skills to work with various information sources and objects.	Ensuring the formation of critical thinking through reading popular science literature, promote the development of the ability to express one’s own opinion, cultivate a value attitude towards living nature.

during the classes

1. Updating previous knowledge

K.O.Z.

What forces of evolution have we become familiar with?

What force of evolution did Charles Darwin consider the main force?

Which organisms survive and produce offspring as a result of natural selection?

2. Studying new material.

Currently, our planet is home to several million species of living organisms, each of which is unique in its own way. Let's find out what the adaptability of organisms to their environment is.

Joint setting of lesson goals

During the conversation, we find out the concept of fitness, it appears in the warehouse, the guys write it down in a notebook (the same definition is on the information card)

The fitness of organisms, or adaptations (from the Latin adaptatio - adaptation, adaptation), are a set of those structural, physiological and behavioral features that provide for a given species the possibility of a specific lifestyle in certain environmental conditions.

K.O.Z.

What do you think can be used to adapt to the environment?

In animals, body shape is adaptive. The appearance of the aquatic mammal dolphin is well known. Its movements are light and precise, its speed in water reaches 40 km/h. The density of water is 800 times higher than the density of air. How does the dolphin manage to overcome it? The torpedo-shaped streamlined body shape and the absence of ears help to avoid turbulence in the flow of water surrounding the dolphin and reduce friction. Similar form bodies of many aquatic animals: sharks, whales, seals. The streamlined shape of the body facilitates the rapid movement of animals in the air. The flight and contour feathers covering the bird's body completely smooth out its shape. Birds do not have protruding ears; they usually retract their legs in flight. As a result, birds are much faster than all other animals. Birds move quickly even in water. An Arctic penguin was observed swimming underwater at a speed of 35 km/h.

Organismal adaptations – writing in a notebook.

K.O.Z. Even Charles Darwin emphasized that all adaptations, no matter how perfect they are, are relative in nature, i.e. useful only in a typical habitat.

For example, a woodpecker easily moves along tree trunks, but its limbs are poorly adapted to move along the soil surface.

Waterfowl do not move well on land.

K.O.Z.

Let's remember such a force of evolution as the struggle for existence. What forms of struggle for existence do you know?

What is the peculiarity of the interspecies struggle for existence, and between whom does it occur?

How should predators and their prey adapt?

SLIDES No.

students write down definitions, draw conclusions about relative nature any adaptation.

protective coloration

solid

broken

change in body color

warning coloring

However, often in animals there is a body color that does not hide, but, on the contrary, attracts attention and unmasks. This form of device is called warning painting. It is characteristic of most animals that sting, secrete toxic substances, have a disgusting smell or disgusting taste. Like brake lights, these patterns and color combinations should be easily recognized by animals. They mean: “Danger!”, “Don’t come near!”, “It’s better not to mess with me!”. ladybug, very noticeable, birds never peck because of the poisonous secretion secreted by the insects. Inedible caterpillars and many poisonous snakes have bright warning colors. Among amphibians there are real dandies. They are spectacularly colored, often slow, diurnal and do not even try to hide from predators, unlike their more numerous camouflaged relatives, who go in search of food at night, when they are less noticeable. The most unique among the amphibian dandies are, perhaps, dart frogs, inhabitants of the Central and South America. Their skin glands produce powerful paralyzing poisons, so that a predator who tries to bite such a frog and survives associates the unpleasant moments he experienced with its bright colors and in the future diligently avoids others like it. Among the approximately one hundred thousand species that make up the order Lepidoptera, or butterflies, bears are not only among the most familiar, but also among the most beautiful. She has an extremely effective warning coloration - orange-black and yellow-black with patterns of spots and stripes. The she-bear is very pretty, but poisonous. Special glands produce strong toxins, entering the butterfly's bloodstream. Other glands contain a liquid with an unpleasant warning odor. In the tropics coastal waters Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippines are home to a small (up to 20 cm in length including tentacles) blue-ringed octopus. Bright orange round spots are bordered by characteristic blue rings. Like all members of the genus, the blue-ringed octopus has an amazing ability to regenerate, and, having lost one or more of its eight tentacles in battle, can quickly grow new ones. As beautiful as this octopus is, it is also poisonous. Animal saliva contains a powerful neurotoxin. Bite blue-ringed octopus deadly. The poison almost instantly paralyzes the nervous system of any living creature, and there is no antidote for it.

mimicry

The effectiveness of warning coloration was the reason for a very interesting phenomenon - imitation, or mimicry. Mimicry is the imitation of a less protected organism of one species by a more protected organism of another species. This imitation can manifest itself in body shape, coloring, etc. Covered with warning stripes, but completely harmless, the hoverfly extracts nectar from the flower, just like honey bees, which have a formidable sting. Hoverfly mimicry is not limited to coloration, but also includes behavior. Hoverflies imitate the sounds made by bees and wasps and buzz threateningly when disturbed. All this together guarantees the hoverfly's immunity. Beautiful butterfly The Danaid owes its inedibility to the fact that its caterpillars feed on the leaves of poisonous lettuce, which is dangerous to livestock and other vertebrates. The winged predators quickly learned not to touch the Danaids, and at the same time their imitator, one of the nymphalids - only slightly tasteless. The glass butterfly is surprisingly similar to a wasp. Its wings are completely transparent, since it does not have the scales that cover the wings of butterflies. When flying, it buzzes like a wasp, and flies as quickly and restlessly as they do. It imitates the color of a viper, it is only given out yellow spots on the head. Poisonous coral snakes have acquired many imitators. For example, Arizona king snake, which is not poisonous.

disguise

In animals that lead a hidden, hidden lifestyle, adaptations are useful that give them a resemblance to objects in the environment - camouflage. For example, moth butterfly caterpillars resemble twigs in body shape and color. Stick insects resemble small brown or green twigs, some butterflies resemble dry leaves, and spiders imitate thorns. Great masters of camouflage owe much of their success to their ability to freeze when they are about to be attacked or when they are preparing to seize prey. Among animals, those who imitate flowers in one way or another are especially diverse. For example, flower mantises are so similar to one or another part of a plant that other insects, deceived by the similarity, fall right on them and fall into the arms of a predator.

Students write down definitions and make inferences about the relative nature of any adaptation..

K.O.Z. How do such perfect adaptations arise?

The key to the solution lies in the complex process of natural selection. For example, the distant ancestor of a butterfly, now almost indistinguishable from a dry leaf, was born with a random set of genes that gave it a slightly greater resemblance to a dry leaf. Therefore, it was somewhat more difficult for birds to detect this butterfly among the dry leaves, and as a result, it and similar individuals survived in greater numbers. Consequently, they left more offspring. And the sign of “dry leaf” became more and more clear and widespread. Any signs arise as a result of mutations. One large mutation may occur, or a huge number of small ones may occur, which happens much more often. Those that increase vitality are passed on to subsequent generations, become fixed and become adaptations. Each adaptation is developed on the basis of hereditary variability in the process of struggle for existence and selection over a series of generations.

What conclusions can be drawn from all of the above?

1. The general adaptability of organisms to environmental conditions consists of many individual adaptations of very different scales.

2. All adaptations arise during evolution as a result of natural selection.

3. Any device is relative.

Thus, fitness is the relative feasibility of the structure and functions of an organism, which is the result of natural selection.

Leads to the fact that only those adapted to survive in nature external conditions kinds. It operates not only at the population level, but also at the level of individuals. Adaptive behavior and structure of living organisms is the basis of adaptive changes.

Patronizing color

Animals that lead an open lifestyle and do not use natural shelters have a camouflage color of their integument. The protective coloration can be observed in the tundra partridge. She is constantly at risk of being eaten by predators. In summer, the birds are brown and red in color, which makes them invisible against the backdrop of stone scatterings. In winter, after molting, it changes to white. Males change their color to summer color later than females, this is necessary to divert the attention of predators from the females hatching chicks.

Most representatives of the polar fauna have White color covers: polar owl, arctic fox, hare, polar bear etc. Caterpillars are colored in the color of the foliage or branches along which they move. Benthic organisms have a brownish tint, making them invisible against the background of bottom sediments. Flounders are able to adjust their color to the color of the ground.

Such dynamic changes occur as a result of the redistribution of pigments skin. Among land animals, the most famous camouflage animal is the chameleon.

Stripes and spots found on large animals also serve for camouflage. They imitate a shadow and make the outline of the animal more blurred.

Adaptive body shape

Adaptive behavior is not the only way animals survive. Body shape is also an evolutionary achievement that helps adapt to the conditions of the surrounding world.

The dolphin is a famous aquatic animal with a memorable body shape. Movement speed in aquatic environment, which is eight hundred times denser than air, reaches forty kilometers per hour. Dolphins managed to reduce environmental resistance by acquiring a streamlined shape and the absence of ears. Most aquatic inhabitants have similar adaptations: whales, seals, fish.

The streamlined body shape of birds reduces the amount of energy required for flight and allows them to reach greater speeds. In terms of speed, they have no equal in the animal world.
The adaptive body shape helps animals camouflage. The caterpillar of the moth moth moves along the branches and looks like a small twig. Some arachnids resemble spiny parts of plants, and butterflies resemble yellowed leaves.

Along with the camouflage color, animals are characterized by the ability to freeze before rushing towards prey or in a moment of danger. Representatives of the fauna, similar to flowers, have the greatest variety of shapes and colors. The similarity is so great that some insects land right on them, mistaking them for a plant.

Warning color of integument

The adaptive features of the structure, color and behavior of animals are so diverse that their classification should be considered conditional. Often animals do not have a camouflage color of their integument, but a bright and noticeable one. It is found in creatures that can sting, poison, or have a vile taste. The purpose of this color is to warn the predator: “I’m dangerous! I’m not tasty! Don’t touch me!”

The ladybug is capable of secreting a secret that is dangerous for birds and warns them with its bright color. There is a noticeable color poisonous snakes and caterpillars. Some amphibians with a bright appearance are clumsy, active during the day and do not hide from enemies. Their relatives, on the contrary, have a protective color and move at night. One of the most dangerous amphibians is dart frogs. Their skin secretions can paralyze a predator.

The bear butterfly is distinguished by a bright pattern on its wings, which warns predators of the poisonous nature of its potential prey. In addition to the toxins contained in the blood, the insect emits a foul odor.

The blue-ringed octopus, which lives in tropical waters, has such a beautiful appearance and strong poison that one bite is enough to kill the victim. There is no antidote for this powerful neurotoxin.

Mimicry

The warning coloration turned out to be so effective that a number of species began to use this to their advantage. A living creature imitates a poisonous and dangerous representative another taxon. This phenomenon is called mimicry.

External similarity is achieved not only due to color, but also to body shape. The hoverfly has yellow and black stripes, but is completely defenseless, unlike the bee. The insect also has adaptive behavior, with which it copies the actions of its dangerous double:

• Collects nectar from flowers.
• When flying, it makes bee-like sounds.
• When threatened, it buzzes like a bee.

The combination of behavior and color is the guarantee of immunity for the hoverfly.

Adaptive Behavior: Animal Examples

Organisms try to survive, and adaptive behavior plays an important role in this. The behavior of living organisms changes at the moment of danger:

• Geese hiss with their necks stretched out.
• Cats arch their backs and raise their tails, their fur standing on end.
• Wolves show grins.
• Toads straighten their hind limbs.
• The skunk first stomps and then, with its tail raised, sprays a stream of liquid with an unpleasant odor.
• The bombardier beetle shoots poison that causes burns. The jet creates a “haze” in the air, which allows the insect to hide.

Everyone has listed types have their own adaptive features of structure and behavior. Animals need this to survive.

Stocking feed

Defense from enemies is not the only manifestation of adaptive behavior. An example would be the creation of a reserve for food during unfavorable periods.
The chipmunk first tidies up his pantry: he takes out the remnants of last year's supplies and puts dry leaves on the floor. As provisions, he brings nuts, mushrooms and seeds, which he puts separately from each other and carefully sorts. The amount of stored food can reach eight kilograms.

Other animals also have features of adaptive behavior: caches of food on winter period made by squirrels, jays, mice and predatory animals. Hibernation helps hedgehogs, badgers, gophers and bears survive unfavorable months. Nutrients they are stored inside the body and then used sparingly due to slow metabolism.

In late autumn, the bear grows long, thick hair and finds a place for wintering in a deep forest. It lines its bed with fallen leaves and moss. By this time, the owner of the taiga had already formed a sufficient layer of subcutaneous fat. Over time, the snow will sweep the bear away, and a den will form that looks like a huge snowdrift. During the winter, a dormant animal gradually uses up stored substances. The body temperature decreases to thirty degrees.

Caring for offspring

Adaptation to protect the younger generation is of great importance for the conservation of the species. Fish drive away predators from spawning sites or carry them in their mouths. Male sticklebacks make a kind of nest for eggs. It has two holes for oxygen access.

In some species of frogs, egg development occurs in the brood pouch. Birds build nests, lay eggs and hatch chicks. After hatching, they are provided with food and protection, which is an adaptive feature of animal behavior.

Mammals not only feed and protect their babies, but also impart to them the skills of obtaining food.

Physiological adaptations

There are no trifles in the process of survival. Not only are they important for the animal external signs and behavior, but also adaptation at the physiological level. Without it, the stability of metabolic processes in the body against the background of changing external conditions is at risk.

Accumulated subcutaneous fat helps living organisms in desert conditions long time do without moisture. It is obtained by its oxidation. At the same time, water loss through evaporation is minimized.

Seals are capable of diving to great depths, reaching 600 m. They hold their breath for up to one hour. This is possible thanks to myoglobin, which is found in muscle tissue. This pigment is capable of binding oxygen an order of magnitude more than hemoglobin. Owls' vision is adapted to the lack of light at night. Bats make their way in the dark using echolocation.

Representatives of the flora are also forced to adapt to external conditions. The leaves of cacti gradually changed into spines to reduce the area of ​​transpiration. The fleshy stem serves as a reservoir for moisture.

The huge leaves of water lilies, on the contrary, contribute high speed transpiration in conditions of high air humidity. Tundra vegetation has its own adaptations: low growth, small leaves, shallow root system, rapid development during the growing season.

Relativity of fixtures

The perfection of adaptations has been honed by the centuries-old course of natural selection, but none of them is ideal in all respects. Each device helps a living organism only under certain conditions. If they change, then the trait becomes neutral or even dangerous for the individual.

The white partridge is identified by the shadow cast on the snow on a clear day. After the autumn molt, the hare becomes noticeable against the background of dark trees. To take off, a swift needs to push off from the edge of the surface. Short legs and long wings prevent them from gaining height from level ground.

The shell protects turtles from enemies, but predator birds learned to drop reptiles from great heights in order to break it. The incisors of rodents grow without stopping, which is necessary for feeding on solid food. If their diet consists only of soft food, then overgrown teeth will not allow them to eat.

Question 1. Give examples of the adaptability of organisms to living conditions based on your own observations.

During evolution, organisms acquire various properties that allow them to more successfully adapt to their living conditions. For example, the fur of northern animals (arctic foxes, bears) is white, making them almost invisible against the background of snow. Insects that feed on flower nectar have the structure and length of their proboscis that is ideal for this. Seal flippers, modified from the paws of their land-dwelling ancestors, are perfectly adapted to movement in water. Giraffes live in the savannah and eat tree leaves at high altitudes, which their long neck helps them do.

There are many such examples, since each Living being has big amount characteristics acquired in the process of adaptation to specific living conditions.

Question 2. Why do some animals have bright, unmasking colors, while others, on the contrary, have protective colors?

Two types of coloring correspond to two variants of behavioral strategy. In one of them, the animal tries to remain unnoticed, trying to avoid meeting a predator or sneaking up on the prey. For this purpose, protective coloring is used, allowing it to blend into the background. On the other hand, animals that are dangerous or poisonous often make a point of emphasizing this. They use bright, unmasking colors that warn: “don’t eat me.” In addition to poisonous organisms, this strategy is used by those that mimic them. harmless species. Organisms can have unmasking colors for a completely different reason - in connection with the desire to attract a partner for reproduction (the bright colors of many male birds, fish, reptiles, butterflies, etc.). In this case, the task of procreation comes into conflict with the instinct of self-preservation, but turns out to be more significant for the organism.

Question 3. What is the essence of mimicry? Compare mimicry and camouflage. What are they fundamental differences? How are they similar?

The essence of mimicry (from the Greek mimikos - imitative) is that harmless animals in the process of evolution acquire resemblance to dangerous (poisonous) species. This allows them to avoid attacks from predators. Examples include some non-venomous snakes: there is a species of snake that is similar in color to deadly dangerous adder and differs from it only in the alternation of stripes. In addition to coloring, mimicking animals have characteristic behavior: hoverflies behave like wasps, imitating aggression.

Question 4. Does natural selection apply to animal behavior? Give examples.

Natural selection influences not only the external characteristics of an organism, but also its behavior. This applies, first of all, to innate (instinctive) forms of behavior. Such forms are very diverse: methods of obtaining food, manifestations of fear and aggression, sexual behavior, parental behavior, etc. A spider weaves a web, a bee builds a honeycomb, a cat takes a threatening pose in a moment of danger, chipmunks store supplies and hibernate for the winter and etc. Mating rituals are very complex, strict adherence to which is one of the ways for animals to prevent interspecific crossing.

Question 5. What are the biological mechanisms for the emergence of adaptive (hiding and warning) coloration in animals?

The biological mechanism that ensures the appearance of adaptive coloration is natural selection. In the process of evolution in a population that, due to the diversity of the gene pool, was very different wide range coloration, predominantly those individuals that were less noticeable against the background of the environment survived and left offspring. As a result, the proportion of corresponding genotypes constantly increased. Subsequently, this phenotype, and therefore the genotype, was fixed in the population with the help of stabilizing selection. In the case of warning coloring, similar processes occurred. For example, birds initially find and eat brightly colored insects more easily. If these insects turn out to be poisonous, then the birds quickly learn not to touch them and prefer more modestly colored prey. Thus, individuals with bright colors, which are easily identified as poisonous, are preserved and leave offspring. Over time, this trait becomes fixed in the population.

Question 6. Are there living organisms that do not have adaptive structural features? Justify your answer.

Adaptation is a set of structural features, physiology and behavior of living organisms to specific conditions in which they can normally exist and leave offspring.

The emergence of adaptation to the environment is the main result of evolution. Therefore, evolution can be viewed as the process of the emergence of adaptations or adaptations.

Organisms that failed to adapt to the environment became extinct.

During the process of evolution, animals have developed various physiological and behavioral mechanisms that allow them to better adapt to their environment. What adaptive features of the structure, color and behavior of animals exist? What do they depend on?

Adaptive behavior of animals

Behavior refers to actions aimed at interacting with the outside world. It is characteristic of all animal creatures and is one of the main tools of adaptation. The principles of animal behavior can change under the influence of external and internal factors.

For the existence of organisms, all environmental factors are important - climate, soil, light, etc. Changes in at least one of them can affect their way of life. Adaptive behavioral features of animals help them adapt to new conditions, and therefore increase their chances of survival.

Even elementary forms of life are capable of responding to environmental stimuli. Protozoa, for example, can move to reduce Negative influence any factor. Highly organized organisms have more complex behavior.

They are able not only to perceive information, but also to remember and process it in order to use it in the future for self-preservation. These mechanisms are controlled nervous system. Some actions are inherent in animals initially, others are acquired in the process of learning and adaptation.

Reproductive behavior

Reproduction of offspring is inherent in the nature of every living organism. Adaptive behavior manifests itself during sexual reproduction, when animals need to find a partner and form a pair with him. With asexual reproduction, such a need does not arise. Courtship is highly developed in higher organisms.

To win a partner, animals perform ritual dances and make various sounds, for example, shouting, trilling, singing. Such actions give a signal to the opposite sex that the individual is ready to mate. During the mating season, deer emit a special roar, and when they meet a potential rival, they start a fight. Whales touch each other with their fins, elephants stroke each other with their trunks.

Adaptive behavior also manifests itself in parental care, which increases the chances of survival of young individuals. It is mainly characteristic of vertebrates and consists of building a nest, incubating eggs, feeding and training. Monogamy and strong pairs predominate in species where the young require long-term care.

Nutrition

Adaptive feeding behavior depends on biological features animal. Hunting is common. It is carried out using surveillance (in squids), traps (in spiders) or simple waiting (in mantises).

To save effort and time, some species use theft. For example, cuckoo bees do not build their own hives, but they boldly penetrate others’. They kill the queen and lay their larvae in the colony, which are fed by unsuspecting worker bees.

Coyotes have adapted by being omnivorous. So they significantly expanded their habitat. They can live in desert, mountainous areas, and have even adapted to life near cities. Coyotes eat anything, even carrion.

One way to adapt is to store food. Insects are stored to feed the larvae. For many rodents, this is part of preparation for a bad season. Hamsters store about 15 kilograms of food for winter.

Protection

Various defensive reactions of animals protect them from enemies. Adaptive behavior in this case can be expressed passively or actively. A passive reaction is manifested by hiding or running away. Some animals choose different tactics. They may pretend to be dead or freeze in place.

Hares run away from danger, confusing their tracks in the process. Hedgehogs prefer to curl up in a ball, a turtle hides under its shell, a snail hides in its shell. Species that live in flocks or herds try to huddle closer to each other. This makes it more difficult for a predator to attack an individual, and there is a chance that he will abandon his intention.

Active behavior is characterized by a clear demonstration of aggression to the enemy. A certain posture, the position of the ears, tail and other parts should warn that the individual should not be approached. For example, cats and dogs show their fangs, hiss or growl at their enemies.

Social behavior

When animals interact with each other, adaptive behavior differs different types. It depends on the developmental characteristics and way of life of an individual and is aimed at creating favorable conditions living and making life easier.

Ants unite to build anthills, beavers unite to build dams. Bees form hives, where each individual performs its role. Baby penguins are grouped together and supervised by adults while their parents hunt. The cohabitation of many species provides them with protection from predators and group defense in case of attack.

This can also include territorial behavior, when animals mark their own possessions. Bears scratch the bark of trees, rub against them, or leave clumps of fur. Birds serve sound signals, some animals use odors.

Structural features

On the adaptive features of the structure and behavior of animals strong impact has a climate. Depending on the degree of air humidity, environmental density, and temperature fluctuations, they have historically formed different shapes bodies. For example, at underwater inhabitants- This is a streamlined shape. It helps you move faster and maneuver better.

The size of the ears of foxes is characteristic of the structure and living conditions. The colder the climate, the smaller the ears. Arctic foxes living in the tundra have small ears, but the fennec fox, living in the desert, has ears up to 15 cm in length. Big ears help the fenech to cool down in the heat, as well as to detect the slightest movement.

Desert inhabitants have nowhere to hide from the enemy, so some have good vision and hearing, others have strong hind limbs for fast movement and jumping (ostriches, kangaroos, jerboas). The speed also saves them from coming into contact with hot sand.

Residents of the north may be slower. The main devices for them are a large number of fat (up to 25% of the total body in seals), as well as the presence of hair.

Coloring features

An important role is played by the color of the animal’s body and fur. Thermoregulation depends on it. Light color avoids exposure to direct sun rays and prevent overheating of the body.

The adaptive features of body color and animal behavior are closely related to each other. During mating season The bright color of males attracts females. Individuals with the best pattern receive the right to mate. Newts have colored spots, and peacocks have colorful feathers.

Color provides protection to animals. Most species are disguised as environment. Poisonous species on the contrary, they may have bright and provocative colors, warning of danger. Some animals only imitate their poisonous counterparts in colors and patterns.

Conclusion

Adaptive features of the structure, color and behavior of animals in many ways Differences in appearance and lifestyle are sometimes noticeable even within the same species. The main factor for the formation of differences was the environment.

Each organism is maximally adapted to live within its range. When conditions change, the type of behavior, color, and even the structure of the body may change.