37 Questions
What is a key factor influencing social behavior among different species?
Food availability
Which type of social group structure involves cooperative care of juveniles and reproductive division of labor?
Eusociality
What behavior involves defending a physical space containing essential resources for survival and reproduction?
Territoriality
Which species exhibit eusocial colonies with a reproductive queen or dominant individuals?
Ants, bees, and termites
Which social group structure involves permanent groups with dominant pair structures or matrilineal societies?
Permanent groups
What characteristic is typical of territorial behavior in social animals?
Marking and defending boundaries
Why might individuals position themselves at the center of a large group?
To avoid potential subsequent infections through the selfish-herd effect.
What factors contribute to the evolution of diverse social groups in animals?
Predation pressure and food availability.
What distinguishes matrilineal societies from matriarchal societies?
In matrilineal societies, ancestral descent is traced through maternal lines.
Why might eusocial animals exhibit a division of labor within their colonies?
To ensure every individual contributes to the colony's survival.
How do harem groups differ from permanent groups with complex structures?
Harem groups have one dominant male mating with multiple females.
What is a key benefit of understanding social structure and membership in group living?
Better navigation of interaction dynamics and hierarchies within the group.
What is a common benefit of territorial behavior?
Access to resources
How do different mating systems influence social organization?
Each has specific implications for social organization
In what way does grouping enhance feeding efficiency?
By allowing for more efficient food finding
What is a common drawback of group living in terms of predator attraction?
Increased risk due to less vigilant individuals
How does understanding social organization contribute to animal behavior studies?
It aids in understanding animal behavior, ecology, and evolution
What is a key factor influencing mating systems in animals?
Ecological factors
What is a potential benefit of group living according to the text?
Protection from adverse weather conditions
How can competition for resources impact group living?
It leads to conflicts and hierarchies
What is a potential consequence of increased mate competition in social groups?
Monopolization of mating opportunities by dominant individuals
What is one advantage of group living mentioned in the text?
Increased feeding efficiency
How does close proximity in group living environments impact disease spread?
It facilitates the spread of diseases among individuals
Which term refers to the phenomenon where individuals within a group decrease their predation risk by moving to specific positions?
Selfish-herd effect
Why might larger groups attract predators according to the text?
Due to increased visibility and detectability
What is one drawback of grouping mentioned in the text?
Increased visibility to predators
What is a potential downside of predator attraction to larger groups?
Threat to individual safety
Why does grouping make it less likely for any given individual to be preyed upon?
Resulting from the dilution effect
How does mate competition manifest as a downside of group living?
Risk of cuckoldry and cannibalism of young
In what way do animals in groups increase the risk of diseases and parasite spread?
From closer proximity and easier transmission
Which term refers to areas where males gather to perform elaborate courtship displays to attract mates?
Leks
What is the evolutionary puzzle surrounding the maintenance of genetic variation in traits associated with mate choice within lek mating systems called?
Lek paradox
What is one of the implications for mate choice and social organization in mating systems?
Decreased genetic diversity
Which hypothesis attempts to explain the maintenance of genetic variation in traits associated with mate choice within lek mating systems?
Fluctuating selection
What drives mating systems and social organization in primate societies according to the text?
External ecological factors and offspring needs
What is a behavior often involved in mate choices based on the provided text?
Parental care
Which factor leads to diverse mating strategies and social structures in primate societies?
External ecological factors and offspring needs
Study Notes
Social Behavior
- A key factor influencing social behavior among different species is the evolution of diverse social groups.
- Cooperative care of juveniles and reproductive division of labor are characteristics of a specific type of social group structure.
Social Group Structures
- Eusocial colonies have a reproductive queen or dominant individuals, and exhibit a division of labor within their colonies.
- Permanent groups with dominant pair structures or matrilineal societies are another type of social group structure.
- Matrilineal societies are distinct from matriarchal societies, where the dominant individual is not necessarily the female.
Territorial Behavior
- Defending a physical space containing essential resources for survival and reproduction is a characteristic of territorial behavior.
- Territorial behavior is typical of social animals, where individuals position themselves at the center of a large group to reduce predation risk.
Evolution of Social Groups
- The evolution of diverse social groups in animals is influenced by factors such as competition for resources, predation pressure, and mating systems.
Mating Systems
- Different mating systems influence social organization, with lek mating systems being a type of polygynous mating system.
- The evolutionary puzzle surrounding the maintenance of genetic variation in traits associated with mate choice within lek mating systems is known as the "lek paradox".
- The "good genes" hypothesis attempts to explain the maintenance of genetic variation in traits associated with mate choice within lek mating systems.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Group Living
- A key benefit of understanding social structure and membership in group living is the ability to predict and explain animal behavior.
- Territorial behavior provides a common benefit of reduced predation risk.
- Group living enhances feeding efficiency, but also increases the risk of disease spread and attracts predators.
- One advantage of group living is that it makes it less likely for any given individual to be preyed upon.
Primate Societies
- In primate societies, mating systems and social organization are driven by factors such as competition for resources and mate choice.
- One implication of mate choice and social organization in mating systems is that it leads to diverse mating strategies and social structures in primate societies.
- Behavior often involved in mate choices includes elaborate courtship displays to attract mates, known as leks.
Explore the advantages of animals living in groups, such as sharing information about food sources, protection from harsh weather, and easier access to potential mates. Learn how social interactions within a group can enhance reproductive opportunities.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
