Primates 3 Flashcards
what are the three sections of evolution of primates traits socially
moving feeding reproducing
explain moving feeding and reproducing
- Moving= related to environment
- Feeding= = optimisation of food acquisition (critical for survival + reproductive success)
- Reproducing= better at reproduction= more successful
define behaviour
product of natural selection on ancestral populations resulting in increased adaption to particular habitat
are behaviour and anatomical traits linked
Yes
Male/male competition, sexual dimorphism in body size and canine size
what determines a social system
food source
what does availability and distribution of resources relate to
o Competition
o Grouping
o Social behaviour
o Mating patterns
what are the three break downs of a social system
social organisation (composition) social structure (interactions) mating systems (who mates wiht who)
for survival and fitness, these two things are key
o Find food
o Avoid predators
what are 3 costs of group living (sociality)
• inc. competition for resources (food, mates)
• inc. likelihood of disease and parasite transmission
- inc. conspicuousness (predation)
what are 2 benefits of group living (sociality)
- Defence of territory/food resources & mates from competitors
- dec. risk of predation
what are the three Ds of decrease risk of predation
• Detection
o More eyes to detect predators
• Deterrence
o More individuals to mob or chase predators away
• Dilution
chance that any one individual is the prey of the day when group is larger
why do females compete over food and males compete over females
- Reproductive success limited by:
o Females- access to resources
• High metabolic costs associated with gestation and lactation
o Males- access to females
diet correlation with body size in primates and why
- Insectivores < frugivores < folivores
- Differences in size= related to differences in energy requirements
why are frugivours primates have larger brain than folivorous
need larger brains to remember location and phenological status of fruit trees
what are the 3 types of resource distribution
clumped
evenly dispersed
randomly scattered
what are the defence state associated with clumped and even distributions
o Clumped: may be defended, territoriality
o Even: difficult to defend, home ranges without defence
what is the type of competition when food evenly distributed
Scramble: first come first serve
what is the type of competition when food in clumps
contest
explain fission-fusion in relation to food dispersion
In unequally dispersed food= Lower competition when splitting
Explain influence flows of food avaiblity on grouping patterns
distribution of resources > competitive patterns among fems > distribution of fems
= dispersal patterss. social bonds => distribution of males
how does primate dispersion influence bonding patterns
o Sex that stays forms strong bond with those who also stayed
why do animals disperse
- Avoid interbreeding
Reason for natal dispersal but does not explain secondary dispersal - Seeking better resources
• Plays important role in secondary dispersal - Result of intra-sexual competition
• Does not explain where individuals leave voluntarily
what re the 5 primate social organisations
- solitary monogamous polyandry polygyny multilevel
explain solitary
o Males defend home ranges of home ranges of females
