Question 1

Which of the following best explains why alarm calling behavior is more frequently observed in adult female prairie dogs compared to other group members, as shown in the alarm call data?

Accepted Answer

Adult females have the highest reproductive value and are more likely to benefit from kin selection by warning relatives.

Question 2

According to Hamilton's rule, altruistic behavior will evolve if $$Br - C \u003e 0. If a $$prairie dog gives an alarm call that costs it $$C = 2$$ units of fitness, and the benefit to its sibling is $$B = 5$$ units, what is the minimum coefficient of relatedness $$r$$ required for the behavior to be favored by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

$$r \u003e 0.4$$

Question 3

Which hypothesis about white-tailed deer tail flagging predicts that the behavior is directed at predators rather than conspecifics and is more frequent at safe distances?

Accepted Answer

Flash behavior hypothesis

Question 4

In vampire bats, reciprocal food sharing is observed. Which evolutionary concept best explains this behavior?

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal altruism

Question 5

A prairie dog is more likely to give an alarm call when its offspring are present in the coterie. Which concept from evolutionary biology does this behavior illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Inclusive fitness

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a prediction of the risk-free alarm signal hypothesis for tail flagging in white-tailed deer?

Accepted Answer

Tail flagging is directed at predators rather than conspecifics.

Question 7

Which of the following relationships has the lowest coefficient of relatedness ($$r) $$according to Hamilton's model?

Accepted Answer

Cousins

Question 8

Which adaptive explanation for the evolution of homosexual behavior is based on the idea that same-sex interactions contribute to social bonding and alliances?

Accepted Answer

Social glue hypothesis

Question 9

A bat shares food with another bat that is not closely related, but expects to receive food in return in the future. Which term best describes this interaction?

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal altruism

Question 10

According to the grandmother hypothesis, why might evolution favor menopause in some social species?

Accepted Answer

Post-reproductive females increase their inclusive fitness by helping care for grandchildren.

Question 11

Which scenario best illustrates kin selection?

Accepted Answer

A meerkat gives an alarm call when a predator approaches, risking its own safety to warn its siblings.

Question 12

If a prairie dog gives an alarm call when its parents are present, but not when only siblings are present, what is the likely coefficient of relatedness ($$r) $$between the actor and recipient?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 1/2$$

Question 13

Which of the following is a non-adaptive explanation for the evolution of homosexual behavior in animals?

Accepted Answer

Mistaken identity hypothesis

Question 14

Which equation defines evolution in terms of population genetics?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is defined as changes in allele frequencies in a population on a generation-by-generation basis.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the relationship between direct fitness and inclusive fitness?

Accepted Answer

Direct fitness results from an individual's own reproduction, while inclusive fitness includes the reproduction of close relatives.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of mutualism according to the actor-recipient benefit matrix?

Accepted Answer

Both actor and recipient benefit from the interaction.

Question 17

A male prairie dog is evicted from its breeding coterie and has no kin nearby. According to the alarm call data, what is the expected percentage of simulated badger attacks in which it will give alarm calls?

Accepted Answer

Lower than when kin are present

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the evolution of alarm calling in social animals is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Alarm calling is more likely to evolve in groups containing many related individuals.

Question 19

Which of the following is a plausible adaptive explanation for the evolution of post-reproductive longevity in humans?

Accepted Answer

Grandmothers help their adult children with childcare, increasing their inclusive fitness.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the 'overdominance' hypothesis for the evolution of homosexual behavior?

Accepted Answer

Genes promoting same-sex behavior in homozygous state confer a selective advantage in the heterozygous state.

lec 31

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