Q.94 Which one of the following options provide example for the term “habituation” in behavioral
ecology?
(A) A fish transferred to a fish tank startles initially for a hand clap, but not later
(B) Migratory birds from the temperate zone migrating towards the tropical part during the winters
(C) Adult kingfisher birds are more successful in catching fishes than their younger siblings
(D) Female lizard getting used to a new male lizard during the courtship period
A fish initially startling at a hand clap but ignoring it later exemplifies habituation—decreased response to repeated, harmless stimuli.
The correct answer is (A).
Habituation Defined
Habituation is non-associative learning where animals reduce/eliminate responses to repeated, benign stimuli, conserving energy by filtering irrelevant cues. It’s the simplest form of learning, observed across taxa from protists to mammals, distinct from fatigue (reversible) or sensitization (heightened response).
Option Breakdown
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(A) Fish startles at hand clap initially, not later: Correct classic example—fish’s lateral line detects clap as potential predator cue; repeated safe exposures lead to response decrement via synaptic depression in CNS.
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(B) Migratory birds temperate→tropical winters: Wrong—innate/endogenous rhythm (circadian/circannual clocks), not learned response decrement.
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(C) Adult kingfishers better fish-catchers than juveniles: Wrong—learning/experience (trial-error or observational), or maturation—not simple stimulus habituation.
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(D) Female lizard habituates to new male courtship: Wrong—likely sexual imprinting/acceptance or mate choice, involving positive reinforcement, not response suppression to repeated stimulus.
Introduction to Habituation Behavioral Ecology Example
Habituation behavioral ecology example like fish ignoring tank hand claps demonstrates simplest learning: response decrement to repeated non-threatening stimuli. GATE Life Sciences tests vs innate behaviors—fish learns clap = safe via synaptic changes.
Habituation Mechanism
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Stimulus: Hand clap → initial escape/startle (lateral line).
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Repeated exposure: No harm → neural adaptation (decreased neurotransmitter release).
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Outcome: Response extinction; reversible by novel stimulus (dishabituation).
Why Other Options Fail
| Option | Behavior Type | Not Habituation Because |
|---|---|---|
| (A) Fish clap | Response decrement | Matches definition perfectly |
| (B) Bird migration | Innate rhythm | Endogenous, not stimulus-driven |
| (C) Kingfisher skill | Experience learning | Improvement, not suppression |
| (D) Lizard courtship | Mate acceptance | Positive association |
GATE Relevance
Habituation behavioral ecology example distinguishes non-associative (A) from associative/innate. Classic: sea anemone ignores repeated touches. PYQ pattern: fish/prairie dog examples common. Answer: (A).
