Sociobiology and Behavioural Ecology PO

Question 1

What does Sociobiology stand for?

Answer 1

Merge of behaviour (socio) and genetics (biology)

Question 2

What does Behavioural Ecology stand for?

Answer 2

Stresses way that behavioural contribution to Darwanian fitness depends on ecology (food, enemies, nesting requirements etc)

Question 3

What is Altruism?

Answer 3

behaviour that increases survival and reproduction of other individuals at a cost to one’s own survival and reproduction

Question 4

Example of an altruistic act:

Answer 4

A Belding’s ground squirrel produces an alarm call when it detects a predator, this is an altruistic act as it benefits others whilst being costly for itself

Question 5

How did altruism evolve?

Answer 5

1. Kin selection
2. Mutualism
3. Manipulation
4. Reciprocal Altruism

Question 6

What is Kin selection?

Answer 6

relatives (kin) also have copies of an individual’s genes. Gene proliferation can occur through care for relatives (when they reproduce). Acts may be phenotypically altruistic but genotypically selfish

Question 7

What is coefficient of relatedness (r)

Answer 7

probability that relatives will share a particular gene

Question 8

In diploid species, how many percent do each parent contribute to the genes

Answer 8

50% when the egg + sperm fuse

Question 9

What does Diploid Species have?

Answer 9

Pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent

Question 10

What is the probability of any one gene being shared by a parent and offspring? r =

Answer 10

r = 0.5

Question 11

r =

Answer 11

coefficient of relatedness

Question 12

What is R for identical twins?

Answer 12

1.0

Question 13

What is R for siblings?

Answer 13

0.5

Question 14

What is R for grandparents + grandchildren?

Answer 14

0.25

Question 15

What is R for grandparents + great-grandchildren?

Answer 15

0.125

Question 16

Relatives contribute to an individuals _______

Answer 16

fitness

Question 17

Fitness=

Answer 17

measure of genes contributed to next generation

Question 18

What is direct fitness?

Answer 18

Component from personal reproduction

Question 19

What is indirect fitness?

Answer 19

Component from reproduction of kin

Question 20

What is an individuals total fitness called?

Answer 20

inclusive fitness

Question 21

In what context will the frequency of an altruistic gene increase?

Answer 21

if the fitness benefit to altruist is greater than fitness cost

Question 22

What does C depend on?

Answer 22

the impact (of altruistic act) on Direct Fitness (personal reproduction)

Question 23

C =

Answer 23

number of offspring (forgone) in next generation x r

r = 0.5, as they are your offspring

Question 24

What does B depend on?

Answer 24

the impact (of altruistic act) on indirect fitness (reproduction of kin)

Question 25

B =

Answer 25

number of kin’s offspring in next generation (as result of altruism) x r

Question 26

The frequency of an altruistic gene in a population will increase if

Answer 26

B > C

Question 27

(Nk x r) genetic units > (Ns x 0.5) genetic units

What does Nk and Ns stand for?

Answer 27

Nk= number of kin's offspring resulting
Ns= Number of own offspring forgone

Question 28

What is mutualism?

Answer 28

cooperation may occur because each participant gains survival/reproductive benefit

Question 29

What is manipulation?

Answer 29

Donors may be ‘tricked’ into behaving altruistically

Question 30

Example of manipulation? (Cuckoo birds)

Answer 30

‘Brood parasites ‘- lay eggs in nests of other species, Parasites hosts nest during ost’s laying period (one egg per nest), Takes egg from host nest and replaces it with own, young are raised for free

Question 31

What is Reciprocal Altruism?

Answer 31

individuals gain from repayment of altruistic act at future date

Question 32

Example of Reciprocal Altruism? (Vampire bats)

Answer 32

Some individuals failed to obtain blood meal during night, beg blood from others in daytime roosts, often successful, regurgitation only occurred between frequent roostmates (or relatives), Preferential regurgitation for roostmates continued in lab, suggests ability to recognise each other.