Kin Selection Flashcards
what is behavioral ecology?
survival value and reproductive potential of behaviors
what do we expect from evolution?
that there will be natural selection of behaviors that benefit survival
how can ecology effect behaviour?
the best behavior depends on the ecology eg distribution of food
why study from a phenotypic perspective?
shows long term evolution. genetic models get stuck at evolutionary dead ends without adapting to new environments.
outline the streetcar theory of evolution.
- each trait governed by several different genes
- evolution hits road blocks
- resumes when mutations introduce new genetics
- can look at phenotypic evolution
what do we expect from direct fitness?
that one individual outperforms another, expect selfish individuals
what goes against classical evolution?
cooperation and altruism
why is altruism hard to explain?
one individual helps another individual but at a cost
what is altruism?
any behavior that is costly to the reproduction of the actor but beneficial to the recipient
what is cooperative breeding?
off spring receive help from additional group member (helpers)
what is group selection?
selection happening at a group level - individuals doing things for the good of the group. if they have cooperators and altruists may do better as a whole.
what is are some problems of group selection?
- mutations that are not cooperative
- has to happen at the same rate for it to work
- kin selection can explain everything that group selection can
what will happen if there are mutations that are not cooperative?
an individual will be receiving help but no helping others - they’re doing better and will increase
what is kin selection?
helping individuals that are related to you
how can altruism be explained by kin selection?
altruism ensures the improved transmission of genes as long as the individual being helped is related. it will help there survival or reproductive success and the altruism gene propagates
explain parental care?
direct fitness. maximizes their genetic contribution to future generations.