Question 1

Which of the following best distinguishes proximate causation from ultimate causation in behavioral ecology?

Accepted Answer

Proximate causation explains how a behavior occurs through genetic, neurological, or physiological mechanisms, while ultimate causation explains why a behavior occurs based on evolutionary history and fitness consequences.

Question 2

A researcher blocks oxytocin receptors in prairie voles and observes that consolation behaviors are no longer exhibited. What type of causation is being investigated?

Accepted Answer

Proximate causation, because it investigates the hormonal mechanism underlying the behavior.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a fixed-action pattern (FAP)?

Accepted Answer

A kangaroo rat instantly jumping backward when it hears a rattlesnake's rattle.

Question 4

In Drosophila melanogaster, the 'rover' allele is favored at high population densities. What is the ultimate cause for this pattern?

Accepted Answer

Rover flies are more likely to find unused food patches, increasing their fitness in crowded environments.

Question 5

According to optimal foraging theory, which of the following equations best represents the relationship between foraging efficiency and fitness?

Accepted Answer

$$E = B - C$$

Question 6

Which of the following best describes intersexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Individuals of one sex choosing mates based on traits that provide direct or indirect benefits.

Question 7

A male cuttlefish displays courtship signals to a female while simultaneously mimicking a female to deceive a rival male. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Deceitful communication within the same species

Question 8

Which navigation strategy allows an animal to return home after being displaced to an unfamiliar location?

Accepted Answer

True navigation (map orientation)

Question 9

Hamilton’s rule predicts that altruistic behavior will be favored by natural selection when:

Accepted Answer

$$B 	imes r \u003e C$$

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of reciprocal altruism?

Accepted Answer

A vervet monkey grooms an unrelated individual that has groomed it in the past.

Question 11

Why is self-sacrificing behavior for the good of the species unlikely to evolve by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Selfish alleles would increase in frequency because individuals with them survive and reproduce more.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the waggle dance of honeybees?

Accepted Answer

It communicates the distance and direction of a food source relative to the Sun.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of kin selection?

Accepted Answer

A black-tailed prairie dog giving an alarm call that increases the survival of its close relatives.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about innate and learned behaviors is correct?

Accepted Answer

Learned behaviors are adaptive in changing environments and show high variation among individuals.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for Hamilton’s rule to predict the evolution of altruism?

Accepted Answer

The fitness cost to the altruist is high.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes mutualism?

Accepted Answer

A behavior that increases the fitness of both individuals of different species.

Question 17

Which navigation mechanism would a migratory bird most likely use to travel thousands of kilometers across continents?

Accepted Answer

Compass orientation using the Earth’s magnetic field.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of intrasexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Male deer fighting with each other for access to females.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes inclusive fitness?

Accepted Answer

The sum of direct fitness and indirect fitness gained by helping relatives.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world example of cost–benefit analysis in animal behavior?

Accepted Answer

A bumblebee optimizing its flight path among flowers to minimize energy expenditure and maximize nectar collection.

Behavioral Ecology: Proximate and Ultimate Causes of Animal Behavior

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