Kin conflict Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is kin conflict?
A theoretical framework where parties do not value progeny equally, leading to disagreements on reproductive decisions.
What happens when different parties in a group are unequally related?
They have different Hamilton rules and fitness optima, making it impossible to maximize inclusive fitness for all members.
Can altruism and conflict coexist?
Yes, altruism and conflict can coexist.
What constrains altruism and conflict according to kin selection theory?
Ecological conditions.
What is the difference between potential conflict and actual conflict?
Potential conflict is indicated by kin structure, while actual conflict is expressed behaviorally.
What can influence whether potential conflict becomes actual conflict?
Factors like within-group kin discrimination, maternal hormonal effects, and ecological variables.
What type of colony do Bombus terrestris form?
Annual colonies with a single, once-mated, outbred queen.
What kind of eggs can female workers of Bombus terrestris lay?
Unfertilised eggs that are always male due to haplodiploidy.
What are the two possible outcomes for a bumblebee colony’s production?
- Female-only producing colony (kin-selected altruism)
- Male-producing colony (expressed kin conflict)
What conflict occurs between the queen and workers in a bumblebee colony?
Workers lay male eggs, the queen eats these eggs, and workers may even kill the queen (matricide).
How does begging behavior influence parental feeding in birds?
The more chicks beg, the more the mother responds and feeds them.
What effect does low food availability have on begging intensity in birds?
Low food availability leads to low androgen levels, which results in low begging intensity.
What can lead to siblicide in hyenas?
When the fitness benefit gained by a dominant offspring from disposing of a sibling exceeds the cost of reduced inclusive fitness.
How does sibling rivalry evolve in burying beetles?
When parents supply care, selection favors sibling rivalry; when care ceases, selection favors cooperation among siblings.
What is the typical outcome for brown boobies that lay two eggs?
Rarely do two offspring fledge; the senior chick often eliminates its younger sibling through aggression.
What is the purpose of laying two eggs in brown boobies?
- Insurance policy in case one egg is lost
- Gamble for favorable environmental conditions
What is the role of infanticide in Grey Hanuman Langurs?
Increased fitness for males through resource exploitation, competitor elimination, and increased access to females.
What factors influence interspecific variation in infanticide?
- Seasonality in breeding
- Cooperation between individuals
- Duration of male tenure lengths
- Population density
- Resources
What is the inter-birth interval following infanticide in Grey Hanuman Langurs?
1.8 months.
