Evolutionary Concepts and Primatology

These flashcards cover key concepts in evolution, natural selection, sexual selection, and primate behavior.

What is evolution?

Change in frequencies of the alleles through time.

What is microevolution?

Change in allele frequencies within a population over short time scales.

What is macroevolution?

Large-scale evolutionary changes above the species level resulting from long-term microevolution.

What are Darwin's three postulates for natural selection?

1. There is struggle for existence 2. There is variation in features related to survival and reproduction 3. This variation is passed from generation to generation.

What is disruptive selection?

A type of natural selection that favors both extremes and creates a bimodal distribution.

What are the characteristics of sexual selection?

It can lead to sexual dimorphism and is driven by mate competition (intrasexual selection) and female choice (intersexual selection).

What is the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

A principle stating that allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant in the absence of evolutionary influences.

What are the major reproductive strategies in primates?

Strategies include pair bonding, cooperative breeding, polygyny, and multi-male multi-female systems.

What is kin selection?

Altruistic behavior that benefits relatives, increasing the likelihood of shared genes being passed on.

What is phenotypic plasticity?

The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental conditions.