EEB 390: Evolution - Interactions in Species

This flashcard set covers key vocabulary and concepts related to interactions among organisms within a species, focusing on cooperation, conflict, and kinship.

Cooperation

When actions benefit both players in an interaction.

Conflict

When fitness interests of two individuals differ.

Behavioral Ecology

The study of the evolutionary and ecological basis for animal behavior.

Game Theory

Mathematical approach to studying behavior where the payoff to a choice depends on the choices of others.

Payoff

In evolutionary biology, the fitness increase tied to a behavioral choice.

Cost

In evolutionary biology, the fitness decrease associated with a behavioral choice.

Prisoner’s Dilemma

Classic example of a game illustrating the conflict between cooperation and defection.

Evolutionarily Stable Strategy (ESS)

A strategy that, if adopted by a population, cannot be invaded by any alternative strategy.

Tit for tat

A strategy where an individual reciprocates cooperation; for example, vampire bats feed roostmates who have helped them.

Reciprocal Altruism

Altruistic behavior that can be maintained if individuals exchange acts of altruism sequentially.

Kinship

The genetic relationship between individuals, influencing cooperative behaviors.

Inclusive Fitness

The total fitness of an individual, measured by direct fitness (personal offspring) and indirect fitness (relatives' offspring).

Hamilton’s Rule

A formula (rB > C) that predicts when altruism is favored based on relatedness (r), benefit to the recipient (B), and cost to the donor (C).

Eusociality

A form of social organization with reproductive division of labor, where many individuals do not reproduce.

Haplodiploidy

A genetic system where males are haploid and females are diploid, influencing relatedness in eusocial species.

Siblicide

The act of older siblings killing younger siblings in resource competition.

Kin Selection

Natural selection that favors behaviors which enhance the survival of genetic relatives.

Cooperative Hunting

Hunting strategy where individuals work together to capture prey, increasing hunting success.

Dilution Effect

The decreased risk of predation experienced by individuals in groups.