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Adaptation

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Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior

Synonyms

Behavioral adaptations; Environment; Evolution; Fitness; Physiological adaptations; Structural adaptations; Survival

Definition

Adaptation can be defined as alterations/changes in physiological, behavioral, and structural characters of an individual in response to their environment.

Introduction

Adaptation consists of Latin words ad (“toward”) plus aptus (“fit for some role”); any structural, physiological, or behavioral character that increases organism’s survival fitness as well as their reproduction ability in existing environment. In other words, adaptation is the ability of any living organism to survive and reproduce successfully under the existing environment.

Adapted organisms are more fit because they are (1) able to secure food and nutrients; (2) able to obtain air and water; (3) secure spaces in niche; (4) cope with physical conditions such as temperature, light, and heat; (5) defend themselves from their predators; (6) reproduce and rear offspring; and (7) quickly...

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Correspondence to Mukesh Meena .

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Jain, T., Meena, M., Barupal, T., Sharma, K., Chittora, D., Sharma, K. (2019). Adaptation. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_392-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_392-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-47829-6

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