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Sociobiology Flashcards

(50 cards)

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1
Q

3 components of sociobiology

A

Biology
Ethology
Ecology

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2
Q

2 books of sociobiology

A

Wilson– Sociobiology: the new synthesis (1975)

Dawkins– The selfish gene (1976)

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3
Q

What is sociobiology concerned with

A

Contribution of behavioral traits to fitness

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4
Q

6 advantages of sociality

A 
Mating and care of young
Group defence against predation
Foraging and cooperative hunting
Manipulation of environment 
Division of labor 
Learning through cultural transmission
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5
Q

Why does altruism challenge sociobiology

A

Putting oneself at risk to help another reduces fitness. Evolution should select for selfishness over altruism

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6
Q

VC Wynne/Edwards

A

Dispersion and its relation to social behavior. Animals should avoid overexploitation of habitat by regulating birth rate

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7
Q

Carrying Capacity

A

Amount of animals a habitat can support

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8
Q

4 pieces of evidence for VC Wynne/Edwards

A

Animals capable of having way more babies than they do
Social subordinates dont reproduce in favor of dominant
Breeding stops after reasonable age
Parents sometimes consumer their own offspring

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9
Q

Group Selection Theory

A

Overpopulation avoided by altruistic restraint on reproduction for group benefit

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10
Q

Epideitic displays

A

Communal displays, roosting aggregations, group vocalisations. Provide population density info that regulates reproductive efforts via hormones

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11
Q

Problem with group selection theory

A

How does a gene that educes its own representation in the next generation survive in a gene pool

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12
Q

Empirical finding to support group selection theory

A

Reproduction adjusted t produce max number of surviving offspring. Appears sub-maximal but is actually optimal. English swift have more surviving fledglings when only 2/clutch are born

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13
Q

3 other explanations of altruism

A

Triver reciprocity theory
Alexander parental manipulation
Nowak multilevel selection

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14
Q

Kin Selection theory

A

Animals only care for others offspring if they are genetically related. Altruism according to genetic relatedness

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15
Q

Darwinian Fitness

A

Personal fitness–> how many offspring you produce

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16
Q

Inclusive Fitness

A

Net gene representation in succeeding generations. Indirect fitness

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17
Q

Altruism will occur if (equation thing)

A

K= ratio of recipient benefit to altruistic cost
R= coefficient of relatedness
K> 1/r

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18
Q

Hamiltons rule

A

r> c/b
OR
rb> c

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19
Q

Bird helping equation

A

H= # of helped siblings brought to maturity beyond parents capacity
S= # of siblings raised without help
For selection to favor helping H> S

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20
Q

Eusocial insects

A

Sterile females sacrifice reproduction to work for the reproductive success of their mother the queen

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21
Q

Trivers/Hare ant study

Study These Flashcards
A

Females are 75% related (one haploid father for all) so fitness is better served by helping to rear more sisters then having 50% related children of their own

22
Q

Dawkins Battle of the Sexes

Study These Flashcards
A

Living things are all descendants of successful players of the evolutionary game

23
Q

4 Barash reproductive decisions

Study These Flashcards
A

How
When
With whom
What social system

24
Q

4 problems with sexual reproduction

Study These Flashcards
A

Time and energy cost
Danger of predation
Desertion/Cuckoldry
Genetic cost– only 50% related

25
Benefit of sexual reproduction
Production of genetically diverse offspring
26
Dewsbury reproductive isolating mechanisms
Prevent mistakes in mate selection 1) Pre- mating-- courtship 2) Mating related-- genitalia 3) post-mating-- hormonal events in females for implantation
27
Williams Courtship theory
Requires ability to Advertise-- transmit unambiguous signals Select-- Receive and act on signals
28
Anisogamy
Differential gamete production. Females make small number of large gametes. Males make a large number of small gametes.
29
Dawkins investment differential
Females invest more into each ovum and therefore have more to lose during mate selection than males
30
Geddes and Thomas evolution of sex
Errors in mate selection have more serious consequences for females so they are the selectors
31
Watt's 4 functions of courtship
Attraction Overcoming fear of close contact Maintenance of bond Evaluation of potential mates
32
2 ways to avoid Cuckoldry
Refusal to mate with females suspected of already mating | Protect inseminated female
33
2 types of Darwin sexual selection causing sexual dimorphism
Intersexual | Intrasexual
34
Intrasexual selection
Competition between males increases weaponry and aggression
35
Intersexual selection
Courtship favors secondary sex characteristics. Appearance and behvaior
36
Trivers parental investment
Every time a female mates she limits her chance of doing it again. Max net reproductive success for female is achieved with fewer offspring and higher parental investment than males
37
3 mating systems
Monogamy Polygamy Promiscuity
38
Polygyny
Many females to one male
39
Polyandry
Many males to one female
40
Lek Species
Males congregate in a mating area. Female enters to mate and then leaves-- promiscuity
41
Direct and indirect benefit to female through mating
``` Direct= genetic contribution Indirect= access to resources through partner and dominant future offspring ```
42
Tinbergen definition of aggression
Behavior that tends to remove an opponent or make it change its behavior to no longer interfere with attacker
43
Archers 3 categories of aggression
Competitive Protective Paternal
44
2 forms of competition
Scramble: Resources accessible to all competitors Contest: Active conflict
45
Red deer competition
Roaring contest, Parallel walk and if nobody withdraws they fight. You are more badass if you dominate at a lower level without having to fight
46
When to fight
Gain fitness and access to resources | Food, sleeping area, territory, nest sites
47
When not to fight
When resources are abundant and population density is low
48
Social stability and aggression
Social stability associated with low aggression--> established hierarchies
49
Why is there low fatality rates in intra-species competiton
Elaborate behaviors allow conflict resolution without violence - threat displays, trials of strength and signals of submission
50
Ritualized Attack
Damage to non-vulnerable body parts

Animal Behavior (3 decks)

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