Chapter 08 - Social Relations

Mutualism has positive impacts on both species in the interaction, true or false? (Chapter 15 Review Question)

True

What are the costs to the plant of the ant-acacia mutualism? (Chapter 15 Review Question)

Energy

Given the costs of the Ant-Acacia mutualism what must be true about the benefits? (Chapter 15 Review Question)

The benefits must exceed the costs

Species A and species B interact mutualistically. When they are prevented from interacting, both can still survive. Is this facultative or obligate mutualism? (Chapter 15 Review)

Facultative

What is Behavioral Ecology?

Study of the interactions and behavior between organisms and their environment

What is Sociology?

Study of sociality in behaviors of organisms and its significance.

How does behavior influence fitness?

By the amount of genes an individual contributed to the future generation

Females produce gametes that are _____ and _____ compared to males

Large and costly

Males produce gametes that are ___ and ___ compared to females

Smaller and less costly

Due to the nature of female gametes, they are limited by what?

Resources

Due to the nature of male gametes, they are limited by what?

Mates

What does it mean to be Hermaphroditic?

having both male and female reproductive organs

Within a population of Bluehead Fish what occurs when the local male is killed?

The largest female will change color and become male

What is sexual selection?

natural selection arising through preference by one sex for certain characteristics in individuals of the other sex.

What are the different ways sexual selection can occur within a population?

Intra-sexual and Inter-sexual selection

What is intra-sexual selection?

Competition among the same sex

What is Inter-sexual selection?

Mate choice by opposite sex

What does Intra-sexual and Inter-sexual selection usually result in?

Intra-sexual usually result in larger males being selected

Inter-sexual results in greater predation risk

What do female guppies tend to prefer in males?

Brighter colored males

What happened to the population of guppies raised in an environment without predators?

The population became colorful

What happened to the population of guppies raised in an environment with predation?

The population became less colorful and overall difficult to see

Male scorpionflies that offered larger offerings to females tended to have what?

Greater reproductive success

Larger male scorpionflies are more likely to offer larger dead arthorpods to potential mates, however, mating success isn't correlated to size at all? Why?

Male behavior is flexible, smaller scorpionflies were capable of offering larger prey as well.

Wild radish flowers are Hermaphroditic, however, they are incapable of pollinating themselves. What is this called?

Self-incompatibility

Wild-radish flowers exhibited NON-Random mating, why?

They are able to choose and selectively 'abort' undesired seeds

Sociality usually involves... (3)

Cooperative feeding, group defense, and restricted reproduction

What are cooperative breeders?

Helpers that assist others in raising their offspring.

What is inclusive fitness?

Helping raise relatives because you share similar genes

How does 'Inherited Territory' benefit helpers?

It may improve their personal probability of future reproduction

What is cooperative breeding?

A system where helpers assist others in raising offspring.

What does Hamilton's Rule state?

Kin selection is favored when the organisms are more related to each other.

What are potential benefits for helpers in cooperative breeding?

Helpers may inherit territory, gain parenting experience, or raise kin.

Describe the social structure of Green Woodhoopoes.

They live in flocks of 2-16 with only one breeding pair, and most members are kin.

What is philopatry in the context of Green Woodhoopoes?

Philopatry refers to staying in home territory due to few available nest sites.

How do African lions exhibit cooperative behavior?

Female prides consist of related females that cooperate in hunting, caring for cubs, and defense.

What is infanticide in African lions?

Incoming males kill cubs to reset reproduction and maximize their fitness.

What is eusociality?

A form of extreme sociality characterized by:

multiple generations living together,

cooperative care of young

, and division into reproductive and sterile castes.

Which animals are known for eusociality?

Ants, bees, termites, and naked mole rats.

What is haplodiploidy and its significance in ants?

Haplodiploidy is a genetic system that promotes strong kin selection among ants.

What are the characteristics of naked mole rats?

They are eusocial mammals that live underground, have one breeding queen, are long-lived, and cancer-resistant.

What is the impact of environmental enrichment on captive-bred animals?

Captive-bred animals often fail in the wild due to unnatural behaviors, but those raised in complex environments show better adaptation skills.

What did the vole and cod experiments demonstrate about environmental enrichment?

Animals raised in enriched environments exhibit better foraging, dominance, and faster stress recovery compared to those in bare tanks.

What lesson can be drawn from the studies on environmental enrichment?

Enrichment is crucial for the successful reintroduction of captive-bred animals into the wild.