RNR 316 Natural Resources Ecology - Chapter 10

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to social behaviors and group dynamics as outlined in Chapter 10 of the Natural Resources Ecology course.

Eusociality

A social structure characterized by several adults living together, overlapping generations, cooperation in brood care, and reproductive dominance.

Altruism

A behavior where an individual helps a relative increase their fitness, often at a cost to its own direct fitness.

Kin selection

A form of natural selection that favors altruistic behaviors by enhancing the reproductive success of relatives.

Direct fitness

The passing of copies of genes to one’s own offspring.

Indirect fitness

The benefits gained by an individual through helping relatives, thereby increasing the propagation of shared genes.

Coefficient of relatedness (r)

The probability that copies of a particular gene are shared between relatives.

Dilution effect

The reduction in probability of predation for an individual when it is in a group.

Selfishness

A social interaction where a donor benefits at the expense of the recipient.

Cooperation

A form of social interaction where both the donor and recipient benefit.

Optimal group size

The ideal number of individuals in a group that balances the benefits and costs of group living.

Fitness benefit (B)

The positive effect on the fitness of a recipient relative in kin selection calculations.

Costs of living in groups

Negative effects such as increased competition, predation, and disease spread resulting from high population density.