Social Behaviour Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is social hierarchy
A rank order within a group of animals consisting of dominant and subordiante members
Describe a social hierarchy
Dominant individuals carry out ritualistic behaviour (threats) while subordinate ones carry out appeasement behaviour to reduce conflict. They may also do co-operative hunting. Animals often form alliances to increase social status within group.
Describe the benefits of a social hierarchy and co-operative hunting
- Dominant animal’s favourable genes are more likely to be passed on.
- Co-opertive hunting allows all animals to gain more food than hunting alone.
- Less energy is used per individual.
- Allows bigger prey to be caught.
- Defence strategies increase chances of survival as some will look out for danger while others forage.
- Group adopts specialised formations when young are in danger.
Describe altruism and reciprocal altruism
Altruism behaviour harms the donor individual but benefits the recipricant. Reciprocal altruism is when the roles are reversed. Common in related animals.
What is a benefit of altruism
The donor will benefit in kin selection in terms of increased chance of survival of shared genes in the recipricant’s future offspring.
Describe social insects and their society
Only some individuals (queens and drones) contribute reproductivly. Most members are sterile and work with close relatives to raise the young. Other examples of worker’s roles include defending the hive, collecting pollen and carrying out waggle dances to show direction of food. Sterile workers raise relatives to increase survival of shared genes.
What are 4 types of social insects
Bees, Wasps, Ants and Termites
Describe primate behaviour
Primates have a long period of parental care to allow learning of complex social behaviour. Complex social behaviours support the social hierarchy, examples are grooming, facial expression, body posture and sexual presentation.
