Behavioral Ecology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the Behavioral Ecology lecture, focusing on mating systems, evolutionary trade-offs, and molecular techniques.

Incorporating Molecular Ecology

Enhancing studies in behavioral ecology to understand relationships among individuals and their origins.

Optimality Theory

The theory stating that behaviors evolve to promote survival and reproductive success by balancing costs and benefits.

Red Queen Hypothesis

The hypothesis that organisms must constantly adapt to survive against co-evolving opposing organisms, such as parasites.

Kin Selection

A form of natural selection that favors altruistic behaviors towards relatives, enhancing inclusive fitness.

Inclusive Fitness

The total fitness of an individual, considering both direct reproduction and the survival of relatives.

Hamilton’s Rule

The principle defining criteria for altruistic behavior: rB > C, where r is relatedness, B is the benefit to relatives, and C is the cost to the individual.

Sexual Dimorphism

The differences in appearance between males and females of the same species, often related to mating systems.

Extra Pair Copulations (EPCs)

Mating that occurs outside a primary pair bond, often leading to offspring being fathered by males other than the social partner.

Cryptic Female Choice

A mating strategy where females can influence which male's sperm fertilizes their eggs after mating.

Behavioral Isolation

A reproductive barrier that occurs when different species have different mating behaviors or rituals.