Intraspecific Relationships Flashcards
Describe what a home range is
The home range is the area where an animal will search for food, water or other resources that are unavailable in its territory. The home range isn’t defended so animals are vulnerable in this area.
Describe what a lek is
A lek is where males usually come together and perform mating displays, often competitively, to attract females for breeding
What is an advantage and disadvantage of a lek?
Advantage: becomes a hotspot for breeding which increases the success of mating and reproduction, which increases the survival of a species
Disadvantage: can become vulnerable to predators while they are preoccupied with mating
Explain what would happen if two species had the same niche
If two species are living in the same location, eating the same food, feeding on the same prey, etc, they will compete for the resources.
Ultimately, one species will have a slight advantage over the other and this species will dominate, while the other species will either become extinct or will undergo a change in its ecological niche.
Explain how competition can lead to aggression
Since members of the same species have the same ecological niche, food and mates will often be fought over.
One of the consequences of intraspecific competition is aggressive behaviour and fighting, as it becomes more important for the strongest and most dominant members to get the best resources.
However, the fighting tends to be ritualistic and is a show of strength rather than a fight to the death. this is because animals can get injured and/or die and that can be detrimental to the survival of the species.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of living in a group?
Advantages:
- Safety in numbers
- Being able to warn or fight off predators
- Help each other find food
- Help each other to defend territories
- Help each other to raise young
- Has more potential mates in a close proximity
Disadvantages:
- Disease is more common and easily spreadable
- Competition for food, space and mates
- Increased vulnerability to predators as large groups are more easily noticed
Describe what a hierarchy is
A hierarchy in a population is a ranking system, with the strongest and most dominant members at the top, and the weakest and most submissive members at the bottom
Describe the differences between linear and complex hierarchies
Linear hierarchies: simple progression from most dominant to most submissive, each individual is more dominant than the one below it and more submissive to the one above it (pecking order)
Complex hierarchies: structures involving different groups such as subordinate groups family groups, bonding pairs and labour groups, often all controlled by an alpha member that is the most dominant
Explain why hierarchies are good in animal populations
By establishing rank, each member knows its place in the hierarchy and this reduces fighting and competition. This is because the submissive members know they have to wait for the dominant members to get it first.
How are dominant and submissive positions maintained?
The positions are maintained by display, where a dominant display makes the animal look bigger. This can include standing tall, holding tails high, exposing teeth, fluffing up feathers, etc. A submissive display makes the animal appear non-threatening. This includes lowering the head, avoiding eye contact, tail between the legs, rolling over to expose vulnerable parts, etc.
What is the difference between monogamy and polygamy?
Monogamy is when an individual has one partner for the mating season or even for life. Polygamy is when an individual has multiple mates.
What are the different types of polygamy?
Polygyny - a male having multiple female mates
Polyandry - a female having multiple male mates
Polygynandry - both males and females having multiple mates
When would monogamy/polygamy be more useful?
When both parents are needed to raise a child then monogamy is more useful (eg; humans and penguins).
When parents are not needed to raise a child (only required to deposit their sperm or lay the eggs) then polygamy is more useful (eg; kiwi)
What is the difference between the R and K strategy?
R strategists have high numbers of offspring and K strategists have low numbers of offspring
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy?
R strategy -
Advantages: parents put in a low amount of energy per offspring, parents survival isn’t jeopardised by looking after offspring
Disadvantages: many of the offspring will die of starvation or will be eaten by predators
K strategy -
Advantages: offspring are far more likely to survive
Disadvantages: parents spend a lot of time and energy on each offspring - raising them and bringing them into adulthood
