Social Behavior in Animals

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Questions and Answers

What does Hamilton's Rule state regarding altruism?

The relationship coefficient multiplied by the benefit to the recipient must exceed the cost to the donor. (correct)

The benefits to the recipient are always greater than costs to the donor.

Altruism is mainly driven by external environmental factors.

Altruism only occurs among unrelated individuals.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of eusociality?

Isolation of individuals from their kin. (correct)

Multiple adults living together.

A single reproductive individual in the group.

Cooperation in brood care.

Which statement about haplodiploidy is true?

Males are diploid and females are haploid.

Sisters share 50% of their genes on average.

Sisters share 75% of their genes with each other. (correct)

All offspring are genetically identical.

What is an Evolutionarily Stable Strategy (ESS) according to game theory?

A strategy that will not be overtaken by alternative strategies once established. Signup and view all the answers

What defines social behavior among individuals of the same species?

Any interactions between individuals of the same species Signup and view all the answers

In the context of kin selection, which of the following is an accurate description of altruism?

It is often observed among individuals that are closely related or can sense relatedness. Signup and view all the answers

What tactic describes a 'Hawk' in the context of game theory?

A behavior that includes fighting to take all available resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of living in social groups?

Greater exposure to diseases Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'inclusive fitness' refer to?

The fitness of an individual plus that of their relatives, adjusted for genetic relatedness Signup and view all the answers

What does reciprocal altruism typically involve?

Mutual benefit where individuals provide assistance with the expectation of future help. Signup and view all the answers

Kin selection is often explained through which concept?

Altruism resulting in enhanced inclusive fitness Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is essential for the evolution of altruistic behaviors?

Reduction in reproductive success of the altruist Signup and view all the answers

Territoriality generally involves which behavior of individuals?

Defending a resource patch from others Signup and view all the answers

What is the main question addressed in a cost-benefit analysis of social interactions?

Should a specific social behavior evolve based on its costs and benefits? Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of social groups?

Species-specific mating rituals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social behavior is any interaction between individuals of the same species
Continued group interactions include social groups (prolonged aggregations of individuals of the same species) and family groups (related individuals where offspring interact with parents into adulthood)

Living in a group has advantages and disadvantages
Example of animals that live in groups are European goldfinches and sharp-shinned hawks

Vigilance

The amount of head jerks per minute (vigilance) of a bird increases as the size of the bird flock increases
As flock size increases, birds spend more time looking for predators

Feeding Time

Handling time decreases as flock size increases
The flight interval time increases as flock size increases

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Used to determine if social interactions in a population should evolve
Interactions are analyzed based on costs to a donor, benefits to a recipient and relatedness (r).

Interactions within Species

Various interactions are displayed in an interaction matrix. Positive, negative, altruism, cooperation, selfishness and spitefulness are some examples.

Selfishness

Territoriality: defending resources from other individuals (of the same or other species)

Mate Choice and Mate Competition

Males defend territories with food 2-5x larger than needed
Mating success depends on nectar content in territories

Altruism

Altruism reduces fitness but may evolve through kin selection

Kin Selection

Inclusive fitness = fitness of an individual plus fitness of relatives
Kin selection describes an interaction that depends on the cost to the donor, benefits to the recipient and relatedness.
Relatedness refers to genetic similarity which can be quantified by the coefficient of relationship (r)

Altruism through Kin Selection

Behaviors are possibly widespread among family groups
Limited dispersion increases relatedness
Individuals can sense relatedness through chemical or behavioral cues which may not require prior experience.

Adopting Kin

Red squirrels defend territories through vocalizations
Adoption often happens between kin (5 of 2230 litters)

Kin Selection and Cooperative Courtship in Wild Turkeys

Data is provided from a study investigating Kin Selection and cooperative courtship in wild turkeys.
Data includes relatedness coefficient of subordinate and dominant male pairings.

Kin Selection and Selfishness

The mean age (days) at which predatory morphology develops is correlated with the concept of kin selection and selfishness.

Insect Societies

Eusociality involves multiple adults living together, and cooperation in nest building and brood care
Reproductive dominance is held by one or few individuals and sterile castes of daughters are commonly observed (=altruism)
Ants, bees, and wasps (Hymenoptera) and termites (Isoptera) are examples

Haplodiploidy

Males are haploid, while females are diploid
Sisters share 75% of genes

Will Altruism Evolve among Unrelated Individuals?

This questions whether altruism would evolve among unrelated individuals.

Reciprocal Altruism

Blood meals and vampire bats are analyzed for instances of reciprocal altruism.

Will Cooperation or Selfishness Evolve More Frequently?

The question of whether cooperation or selfishness evolves more frequently is analyzed by various researchers

Game Theory

Game theory is used to determine the optimal strategy of decision-making among interacting individuals considering costs and benefits
Evolutionarily Stable Strategy (ESS) refers to the optimal strategy which will evolve and will not be 'invaded' by other strategies.

Game Theory: Hawks and Doves

Hawks are selfish and fight always for resources
Dove tactics are cooperative and share resources evenly

Average Payoff per Interaction

The payoff to hawks always exceeds that to doves
Calculations are often used to estimate which interaction are beneficial.

Evolutionary Stable Strategy (ESS)

A society of all hawks is an ESS strategy. However, mixed strategy is often evolutionary stable.
Cost varying strategies also need to be looked at.

Higher Cost

When cost is greater, then mixed strategy of hawks and doves is often evolutionary stable.

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Description

Explore the intricacies of social behavior among animal species, including interactions within groups and families. This quiz delves into the advantages and disadvantages of group living, vigilance during feeding, and the cost-benefit analysis of social interactions. Test your knowledge on how these dynamics affect survival and behavior in the animal kingdom.