lecture 13 quiz- soical behaviors

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary evolutionary advantage of siblicide among blue-footed boobies, according to the passage?

It reduces competition for food and other resources among siblings, leading to higher overall survival rates for the brood.

It allows the parents to selectively allocate resources to the offspring with the best chance of reproducing, through manipulating hormone content in eggs. (correct)

It eliminates potential rivals for the parents, allowing them to focus their efforts on the most viable offspring.

It ensures that the older, more dominant chick receives the majority of resources, increasing its chance of survival and reproduction.

Which of the following is a key evolutionary implication of infanticide, as discussed in the passage?

Infanticide is a form of population control, ensuring that resources are not overburdened by excess offspring.

Infanticide is a maladaptive behavior that reduces the overall fitness of the species.

Infanticide is a form of parental investment, as it allows parents to selectively allocate resources to the most viable offspring.

Infanticide allows the perpetrator to eliminate potential rivals, increasing their own reproductive success. (correct)

According to the passage, what is the primary reason that male leopards and chacma baboons engage in infanticide?

To eliminate potential competitors for resources within their territory. (correct)

To maintain a strict dominance hierarchy within the social group.

To punish the females for mating with other males.

To encourage the females to mate with them and produce offspring.

What is the main difference between siblicide and infanticide, as discussed in the passage?

Siblicide occurs between siblings, while infanticide involves the killing of unrelated infants. Signup and view all the answers

How do the evolutionary implications of siblicide and infanticide, as described in the passage, differ?

Siblicide ensures the survival of the fittest offspring, while infanticide reduces the overall fitness of the population. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key similarity between the evolutionary implications of siblicide and infanticide, as discussed in the passage?

Both behaviors are the result of competition for limited resources within the population. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between obligate and facultative siblicide?

Obligate siblicide is almost always present, while facultative siblicide occurs based on environmental conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary evolutionary purpose of infanticide, according to the text?

The text does not explicitly mention the evolutionary purpose of infanticide. Signup and view all the answers

According to the parent-offspring conflict theory, how does the genetic relatedness between parents and offspring differ?

Parents are 50% related to each offspring, while offspring are 100% related to themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of parental investment, according to the text?

Any investment made by a parent in an individual offspring that decreases the parent's ability to invest in other offspring, while simultaneously increasing the selected offspring's chance of survival. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, which statement best explains the potential conflict of interest between parents and offspring?

Parents are equally related to all offspring, while offspring are more related to themselves than to their siblings. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about the concept of parent-offspring conflict, based on the information provided?

It arises from differences in optimal parental investment from the perspective of both parents and offspring. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for infanticide in certain animal species?

Establishing dominance over a rival group Signup and view all the answers

Siblicide can be classified into which two categories?

Obligate and facultative Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a species that exhibits brood parasitism?

Cuckoos Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the killing of offspring by a male member of a species?

Infanticide Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hypotheses could explain the persistence of brood parasitism?

Host-parasite coevolution theory Signup and view all the answers

In the context of sibling rivalry, what is the term used to describe the situation where one offspring kills another?

Siblicide Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key factor that can contribute to female infanticide in various species?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

In the context of wattled jacanas, what is the unique role reversal observed regarding infanticide?

Larger females defend territories and kill male offspring of other females Signup and view all the answers

What is the proposed evolutionary implication of infanticide pressure on the development of wild primates, such as colobus monkeys?

It accelerates infant development Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding the examples of infanticide provided in the text?

Infanticide is exclusively perpetrated by males in all species Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, which of the following statements is true regarding sibling rivalry and siblicide?

Sibling rivalry and siblicide are implied in the context of infanticide Signup and view all the answers

In the context of reproductive competition, what is the potential evolutionary advantage of infanticide?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason behind the occasional adoption behavior observed in gulls?

Gulls experience low selection pressure against occasional adoption, despite the cost to their own young. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a brood parasite mentioned in the text?

Cuckoos Signup and view all the answers

How do brood parasites like the European cuckoo use mimicry as a strategy against their hosts?

They mimic the appearance of predators like sparrowhawks to intimidate and distract the host birds. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central evolutionary mechanism driving the arms race between brood parasites and their hosts?

Reciprocal selection pressures, where hosts evolve defenses and parasites evolve counter-adaptations. Signup and view all the answers

How do differences in incubation periods between brood parasites and their hosts impact the evolutionary dynamics of their relationship?

Differences in incubation periods allow the parasite's chicks to hatch earlier and monopolize the host's resources. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Siblicide and Infanticide

Evolutionary Advantage of Siblicide: Allows for resource allocation to the surviving sibling, enhancing survival chances.
Evolutionary Implications of Infanticide: Can increase reproductive success by eliminating competition for limited resources among offspring.
Infanticide in Male Leopards and Chacma Baboons: Primarily driven by the opportunity to sire their own offspring by removing the offspring of rivals.
Difference Between Siblicide and Infanticide: Siblicide occurs between siblings, while infanticide involves the killing of unrelated offspring, typically by adults.

Comparison of Siblicide and Infanticide

Evolutionary Implications Comparison: Both behaviors can optimize reproductive strategies but differ in their targets—siblings versus unrelated offspring.
Similarity of Evolutionary Implications: Both can result in increased survival and reproductive success for the perpetrating individual.

Parental Investment and Conflict

Obligate vs. Facultative Siblicide: Obligate siblicide occurs consistently in certain species, while facultative siblicide is conditional depending on environmental factors.
Purpose of Infanticide: To enhance the perpetrator's genetic fitness by increasing resource availability for surviving offspring.
Parental Investment Definition: Resources provided by parents to their offspring, which can lead to conflict between parents and offspring regarding investment levels.

Parent-Offspring Conflict

Conflict of Interest: Parents may invest in some offspring over others, leading to competition and conflict with their needs.
Parent-Offspring Conflict: Generally results from differing evolutionary interests; parents want to maximize overall offspring survival, while offspring may prioritize their own survival.

Infanticide Reasons

NOT a Reason for Infanticide: Acts driven by altruism among offspring are not categorized as infanticide.
Categories of Siblicide: Can be split into obligate (necessary for species survival) and facultative (context-dependent).

Brood Parasitism

Example of Brood Parasitism: The cuckoo, which lays eggs in the nests of other bird species.
Killing of Offspring by Males: Termed infanticide, typically observed to benefit the male’s reproductive strategy.
Hypothesis for Brood Parasitism Persistence: Related to evolutionary advantages in reproductive success via misdirected investment by host species.

Sibling Rivalry and Infanticide

Term for Offspring Killing: In sibling rivalry, it's labeled as siblicide.
Factor in Female Infanticide: Can be influenced by resource scarcity or mating strategies.
Wattled Jacanas Role Reversal: In this species, females often engage in infanticide rather than males, reversing typical gender roles.
Infanticide Pressure on Wild Primates: Thought to shape the social structures and parental strategies of species like colobus monkeys.

Additional Insights

Summary of Infanticide Examples: Infanticide is a common strategy across various species to enhance fitness.
Sibling Rivalry Dynamics: Highlight the competitive nature within sibling relationships; survival of the fittest often prevails.
Evolutionary Advantage of Infanticide in Reproductive Competition: Can allow dominant individuals to eliminate rivals and ensure the propagation of their genes.
Adoption in Gulls: Occasionally occurs as a strategy to enhance the survival of some offspring when conditions allow.
Example of a Brood Parasite from the Text: The European cuckoo serves as a notable example.
Cuckoo Mimicry Strategy: Utilizes egg mimicry to deceive host species, resulting in successful brood parasitism.
Arms Race Mechanism: Driven by adaptations on both sides—hosts developing defenses while parasites evolve more deceptive strategies.
Impact of Incubation Periods: Differences can lead to competitive advantages for brood parasites, often allowing them to hatch first and outcompete host chicks.

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Description

Test your knowledge on topics related to the adaptive significance of sibling rivalry, siblicide, infanticide, and parent-offspring conflicts among bluefooted boobies. Explore concepts such as hormone manipulation in eggs and resource allocation strategies in bird families.