Counterintutive logic

Question 1

What explains the behaviour of sting autotomy in worker honeybees?

Answer 1

Kin selection: Worker bees sacrifice themselves through sting autotomy to defend the hive, indirectly passing on their genes by protecting close relatives.

Question 2

Why do dominant female meerkats engage in infanticide?

Answer 2

By committing infanticide, dominant female meerkats benefit by reducing food competition for their future offspring, this enhances the survival and growth of the youngsters.

Question 3

What explains the behavior of the Anthias fish changing from female to male?

Answer 3

The Anthias fish changes from female to male to maximize individual reproductive success, a clear case of individual selection favoring flexible reproductive strategies.

Question 4

What happens if the first male to mate with a female red-backed spider is not eaten?

Answer 4

If the first male is not cannibalised, the female is more likely to mate with a second male, reducing the first male’s paternity success.

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of the spined aedeagus in male Callosobruchus beetles?

Answer 5

The male Callosobruchus beetle’s aedeagus is covered in spines, which during copulation, are used to inflict damage on the female’s reproductive tract.
= This discourages the female from mating with other males, thus reducing sperm competition for the male who inflicted the damage.