ECOLOGY (EXAM 2)100% CORRECT.
Behavioral Ecology - ANSWEROptimal foraging is an example of what field of Ecology?
Behavioral Ecology - ANSWERWhat is defined as the study of the evolution and
adaptive significance of animal behavior, especially social behavior?
-sexual selection and mate choice
-living in groups and cooperation
-kin selection
-evolution of parental care
-migration - ANSWERWhat are the 5 major areas of interest included in the field of
behavioral ecology?
It is present in one sex only - ANSWERWhat does it mean for a trait to be SEXUALLY
DIMORPHIC?
males - ANSWERIs sexual dimorphism more common in males or females?
Sexual Selection - ANSWERWhat do we define as selection due to differential abilities
of members of one sex (usually males) to gain access to members of the opposite sex
(usually females)
-Mate competition (usually males)
-Mate choice (usually females) - ANSWERWhat two basic modes does sexual selection
operate with?
Differential parental investment - ANSWERWhy do males mostly compete and females
usually choose?
-pipefishes and seahorses
-jacanas - ANSWERWhat are some examples of species where the male is the
choosier of the two sexes when it comes to mate choice?
Mate competition - ANSWERIs it mate competition or mate choice that favors traits that
enhance competitive and fighting ability?
"Sneaky Copulators" - males will try to look like females or look inconspicuous and
sneak in matings with females - ANSWERWhat is an alternative reproductive tactic for a
male that is not big enough to compete with other males?
-to obtain better resources
, -to obtain good genes
-due to sensory biases
-sexy son/runaway sexual selection effects - ANSWERWhat are four reasons females
would be choosier when choosing a mate?
sons inherit the trait
daughters are born wanting that trait - ANSWERIn the runaway sexual selection effects
(ie sexy son) who inherits the favorable traits and who inherits the predisposition for that
trait?
Territory - ANSWERWhat is our term for any space defended (against members of
same species) for exclusive use?
-exclusive use of resources (ie no sharing) - ANSWERWhat are the benefits of
defending a territory?
-Energetic costs (displays, fights, marking)
-Risk of injury - ANSWERWhat are the costs of defending a territory?
increase - ANSWERDo the benefits of territoriality increase or decrease with increasing
territory size?
Increase - ANSWERDo the costs of territoriality increase or decrease with territory size?
-Solitary
-Permanent Social Groups
-Transient Social Groups - ANSWERWhat are the 3 types of social behavior?
Solitary - ANSWERA single individual or females with juvenile offspring interacting only
to mate is characteristic of what type of social behavior?
Permanent Social Groups - ANSWERGroups with fixed membership often composed of
relatives are displaying what type of social behavior?
Transient Social Groups - ANSWERLarge groups/herds that gather temporarily with few
long term interactions are displaying what type of social behavior?
Membership in a group for selfish reasons (ie traveling in groups so that if a lion shows
up, he'll probably eat someone else) - ANSWERWhat is the "selfish herd effect?"
-Predator Protection
-Increased Foraging Success
-Increased Reproductive Success - ANSWERWhat are the benefits of living in groups?
-Increased vigilance
-Group Defense