Primate Socioecology

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to primate socioecology, including diets, social structures, and evolutionary strategies.

Socioecology

The study of the relationships of organisms to each other and their environment.

Frugivory

A diet that primarily consists of fruit, which is high energy yield but rare.

Folivory

A diet that consists mainly of leaves, which are abundant but difficult to digest.

Insectivory

A diet that consists mainly of insects, which are high in protein but elusive and may be toxic.

Gummivory

A diet consisting of gums, which are rich in carbohydrates and minerals but produced slowly.

Carnivory

A diet that primarily consists of vertebrates, which are high in protein but rare and can defend themselves.

Ominivory

A diet that includes a wide variety of foods.

Territoriality

The behavior of defending food resources worth under certain conditions, such as the clumped distribution of resources.

Dilution effect

A strategy in group living where the risk of predation is reduced for individuals.

Polygyny

A mating system where one male mates with multiple females.

Monogamy

A mating system where one male mates with one female.

Polyandry

A mating system where one female mates with multiple males.

Intrasexual Selection

Competition among males for access to females that favors certain physical traits.

Intersexual Selection

Selection that favors traits in males that enhance the fitness of females.

Infanticide

A reproductive strategy in some male primates where they kill infants to quicken female ovulation after a group takeover.

Dominance Hierarchies

Social structures within groups that determine access to resources based on predictable interactions.

Altruism

The behavior of sacrificing one's own fitness for the benefit of another individual.

Kin Selection

The process by which behaviors are favored due to their beneficial effects on relatives' reproductive success.

Reciprocal Altruism

A social strategy where individuals engage in altruistic acts with the expectation of reciprocation in the future.

Primate Intelligence

Behaviors in primates indicating advanced intelligence, including tool-making, communication, and complex social interactions.

Social Intelligence Hypothesis

A theory proposing intelligence in primates evolved to solve social problems and enhance cooperation.