Q: Which equation would you use to calculate the change in population size over time, considering only births and deaths?

$$\Delta N / \Delta t = \text{Births} - \text{Deaths}$$

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

It signals the location of food relative to the sun using the length and direction of the dance.

Question 2

A predatory firefly species mimics the mating signal of another species to attract and eat males. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Deceitful communication between species

Question 3

According to Hamilton’s Rule, altruistic behavior is favored by natural selection when:

Accepted Answer

$$Br \u003e C$$

Question 4

A ground squirrel increases the survival of two siblings by 2 offspring each, but loses 1 offspring itself. What is the minimum coefficient of relatedness ($$r) $$required for this behavior to be favored by selection?

Accepted Answer

$$r \u003e 0.25$$

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a type of animal communication signal?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic

Question 6

In bluegill sunfish, some males mimic females to gain access to eggs for fertilization. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Deceitful communication within a species

Question 7

Which survivorship curve is characterized by high mortality early in life, but high survivorship after maturity?

Accepted Answer

Type III

Question 8

A population of 500 mice has 125 births and 25 deaths in a year. What is the per capita growth rate ($$r$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0.2$$

Question 9

Which equation correctly predicts the population size ($$N_t) $$for a continuously breeding species?

Accepted Answer

$$N_t = N_0$ e$$^{rt}$$

Question 10

Which of the following best describes reciprocal altruism?

Accepted Answer

Exchanging fitness benefits with unrelated individuals over time

Question 11

If a population’s per capita birth rate ($$b) is 0.3 $$and per capita death rate ($$d) is 0.1$$, what is the per capita rate of increase ($$r$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0.2$$

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of indirect fitness?

Accepted Answer

A ground squirrel warning its siblings of a predator

Question 13

Which population distribution pattern is most likely for dandelions in a field?

Accepted Answer

Random

Question 14

Which of the following statements about altruism is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Altruism can evolve if it increases the indirect fitness of the altruist.

Question 15

Which survivorship curve would you expect for elephants, which have few offspring and high parental care?

Accepted Answer

Type I

Question 16

If a population has a large proportion of young individuals, what is the likely impact on future population growth?

Accepted Answer

Population growth will likely increase.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for altruistic behavior to be favored by kin selection?

Accepted Answer

Recipient must be a member of a different species

Question 18

What is the coefficient of relatedness ($$r) $$between a parent and its offspring?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0.5$$

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the trade-off between survivorship and fecundity?

Accepted Answer

Species with high survivorship tend to have low fecundity.

Question 20

Which equation would you use to calculate the change in population size over time, considering only births and deaths?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta N / \Delta t = 	ext{Births} - 	ext{Deaths}$$

Behavioural Ecology and Population Ecology: Communication, Altruism, and Population Dynamics

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