principles of ecology - powerpoint 6

Questions and Answers

What indirect benefit might a choosy female receive from selecting a male with brighter coloration?

Enhanced territorial dominance of her male choice.

Higher likelihood of her offspring's future mating success. (correct)

Reduced exposure to blood parasites for herself.

Increased food availability for her offspring.

What is one of the primary costs associated with living in groups?

Faster depletion of available food resources. (correct)

Decreased competition for food among group members.

Increased risk of predation due to grouping.

Higher reproductive success rates in larger groups.

How does the dilution effect benefit individuals living in groups?

Enhances the ability to coordinate attacks against prey.

Decreases the likelihood of any member being attacked by a predator. (correct)

Increases the chances that a predator targets a member with superior fitness.

Increases the chance of finding less competitive feeding sites.

Which of the following statements best summarizes the benefits of group living?

Group living enhances reproductive success and reduces predation risk. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge makes quantifying costs and benefits of group living difficult?

The complexity in interactions between group members. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of optimal foraging models?

To relate foraging behavior to survival and reproduction. Signup and view all the answers

According to the marginal value theorem, what should an animal do upon reaching a food patch?

Stay until the energy gain rate equals the average for the habitat. Signup and view all the answers

What effect could travel time have on foraging behavior according to the marginal value theorem?

Longer travel time results in extended time spent in a patch. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of optimal foraging theory mentioned in the content?

It cannot adequately address the behavior of animals that eat mobile prey. Signup and view all the answers

In the study of great tits, what factor was manipulated to test the optimal diet selection model?

The size of prey and handling time. Signup and view all the answers

How did the presence of wolves influence the behavior of elk in Yellowstone?

Elk chose protective habitats with less food. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect can influence foraging behavior other than energy availability?

The nitrogen or sodium content of food. Signup and view all the answers

What is the predicted outcome for an animal when the travel time between food patches is increased?

The animal spends more time in each patch. Signup and view all the answers

What methodology was used by Cowie in testing the marginal value theorem?

Laboratory experiments altering travel distance to food. Signup and view all the answers

What concept does the term 'giving up time' refer to in foraging behavior?

The time an animal spends in a patch before deciding to leave. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the presence of a predator have on the foraging behavior of small bluegill sunfish?

They spend more time foraging in vegetation. Signup and view all the answers

How do song sparrows respond to the threat of predators compared to nonpredators in terms of feeding their young?

They feed their young less frequently. Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy is characteristic of prey species to avoid predation during foraging?

Making themselves less visible. Signup and view all the answers

What does Darwin's concept of sexual selection suggest about male characteristics?

Certain physical traits give males an advantage in mating success. Signup and view all the answers

In species where males provide nuptial gifts, what is one potential cost for the male after mating?

Risk of being consumed by the female. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors is NOT associated with males during courtship as mentioned in the content?

Engaging in extreme foraging activities. Signup and view all the answers

What factor is crucial for males with long tails achieving higher fitness, as shown by Andersson's research?

Higher success in attracting mates. Signup and view all the answers

What primary evolutionary cost does a male spider face when it is consumed after mating?

Reduced chances of future mating. Signup and view all the answers

During what time might prey perform risky foraging activities to avoid predation?

During times when predators are less active. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of sexual selection, as proposed by Darwin?

Males with stronger traits successfully mating more often. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary factor influencing an animal's behavioral choices?

Evolution and adaptive behavior Signup and view all the answers

What does infanticide in lions primarily increase for the new male?

His chances of mating before replacement Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best reflects the concept of proximate causes in behavior?

They describe the immediate mechanisms behind a behavior. Signup and view all the answers

In many species, which gender tends to be more selective in mate choice?

Females, to ensure genetic quality of offspring Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of behavioral ecology?

It examines the ecological and evolutionary underpinnings of behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do lions gain by hunting in groups, also known as prides?

Decreased energy expenditure per individual Signup and view all the answers

What evolutionary principle explains why natural selection favors efficient foraging behaviors?

Survival and reproductive success of the species Signup and view all the answers

Why might infanticide occur in social animal groups, like lion prides?

To hasten the reproductive capabilities of females Signup and view all the answers

What happens to traits that confer survival advantages over time in a population subject to natural selection?

They increase in frequency. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between genotypes and behavior?

An individual's environment can influence behavioral expression, regardless of genotype. Signup and view all the answers

According to optimal foraging theory, what is the main goal of foraging behavior in animals?

To maximize the amount of energy obtained per unit of feeding time. Signup and view all the answers

What does the equation $Enet = \frac{E_{gross}}{h + s}$ represent in optimal foraging theory?

The net energy obtained from a food source considering handling and searching time. Signup and view all the answers

In the study by Silverman and Bieman, what behavioral change was observed in cockroaches?

Evolution of glucose aversion due to exposure to traps. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome when animals increase their foraging efforts?

The gain in energy rapidly increases initially but may then decline. Signup and view all the answers

What complicates the prediction of animal behaviors according to evolutionary approaches?

The presence of external environmental factors. Signup and view all the answers

In optimal foraging theory, how does energy availability influence selection of foraging behaviors?

Low energy availability leads to the selection of more efficient foraging behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT play a direct role in determining an individual’s foraging behavior?

Random chance without any underlying genetic influence. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'adaptive evolution' imply in the context of natural selection?

Evolutionary changes that increase fitness in specific environments. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evolution and Behavior

Evolution underpins adaptive behaviors that enhance energy gain and reduce predation risk.
Mating behaviors reflect costs and benefits of parental investment and mate defense.

Lion Packs and Infanticide

Lions form social groups called prides, cooperating in hunting.
Female lions often care for each other’s cubs, promoting kinship.
Young males form bachelor prides and later challenge established males.
New males may commit infanticide to eliminate cubs of the vanquished male, facilitating their own mating opportunities.

Animal Behavior

Some peculiar behaviors are observed across species, such as fruit flies laying eggs in alcoholic environments.
Female selectivity in mating influences genetic diversity; sometimes males exhibit choosiness as well.

Behavioral Ecology and Ethology

Behavioral decisions influence food acquisition, mating success, and predator avoidance.
Proximate causes focus on immediate behavioral mechanisms; ultimate causes explore evolutionary and historical explanations.

Adaptive Evolution

Natural selection favors behaviors enhancing foraging, mating, and predation evasion.
Adaptive behaviors yield heritable traits that increase in frequency over time, influenced by environmental conditions.

Foraging Behavior

Optimal foraging theory posits that animals maximize energy gain per unit of feeding time.
Energy gained from food is evaluated through mathematical models like net energy equations.
As foraging effort escalates, the energy benefit rises initially, then plateaus or declines.

Foraging Strategies

The marginal value theorem indicates that animals should remain in resource-rich patches until energy gain rates drop to match the average habitat rate.
The time spent foraging is affected by travel distances between food patches.

Risk and Foraging

Predation risk can alter foraging behavior, as seen in elk avoiding open areas when wolves are present.
Perceived threats can decrease feeding rates, as demonstrated by song sparrows responding to predator calls.

Antipredator Behaviors

Prey species exhibit strategies to avoid predation, such as altering visibility and timing of foraging activities.

Mating Behavior

Males often show distinct traits and behaviors that enhance their mating success through sexual selection.
Nuptial gifts, such as food or assistance in rearing, can increase male mating opportunities.
In some species, male suicide post-mating can be evolutionarily favored if it boosts reproductive success.

Group Living Benefits

Group living can improve reproductive success, sharing of care for young, and reduced predation risk.
The dilution effect reduces the probability of individual predation as group size increases.

Costs of Group Living

Increased competition for resources and heightened risk of disease transmission can accompany larger group sizes.
Optimal group size is predicted to occur where benefits outweigh costs, though quantifying these factors can be challenging.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts from PCB 4043, focusing on behavioral ecology principles such as food acquisition and living in groups. Students will explore how evolution influences adaptive behavior and the trade-offs in mating strategies. Test your understanding of these fundamental concepts in ecology.