SCIENTIFIC THINKING Jane Goodall's work revealed that in areas of abundant food, chimpanzees may live in groups of several dozen individuals. State a hypothesis about the chimpanzee mating system that could be tested by observing one of these groups. What data would you collect to test your hypothesis? How would you interpret the results? (Note: A sexually mature female chimpanzee undergoes a hormonal cycle about 36 days long that is reflected in easily observed changes in the appearance of her genital area. Females are most sexually receptive, and males are most attracted to them, for about a week during the middle of the cycle.)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Formulate a hypothesis about the mating system of chimpanzees in areas with abundant food. For example, you might hypothesize that in areas with abundant food, the competition among male chimpanzees for mating opportunities is higher, leading to a more polygynous mating system.
2. Step 2: Design an observational study to collect data relevant to your hypothesis. Plan to observe the group interactions, particularly focusing on mating behaviors and the number of mates per male and female chimpanzee during the females' most sexually receptive period.
3. Step 3: Collect data on the frequency of mating interactions for each male and female, noting the number of different partners each individual has. Also, record the amount of time males spend guarding or being near receptive females, as this can indicate mate competition and mate guarding behavior.
4. Step 4: Analyze the collected data to see if there is a pattern of some males having multiple mates while others have few or none, and whether high-ranking males secure more mating opportunities than lower-ranking males. This analysis will help determine the mating system dynamics within the group.
5. Step 5: Interpret the results in the context of your hypothesis. If the data shows that certain males monopolize mating with multiple females, and high-ranking males have more mating success, this would support a polygynous mating system hypothesis. Conversely, if mating opportunities are more evenly distributed among males, this might suggest a different mating system.

Key Concepts

Chimpanzee Mating System

The chimpanzee mating system refers to the reproductive behaviors and social structures that govern how chimpanzees mate and raise offspring. This system can vary from promiscuous mating, where both males and females have multiple partners, to more stable pair bonds. Understanding this system is crucial for formulating hypotheses about mating patterns, especially in relation to environmental factors like food availability.

Hypothesis Formation

A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts a relationship between variables. In the context of chimpanzee behavior, a hypothesis might suggest that increased food availability leads to more stable mating pairs or higher mating frequency. Formulating a clear and specific hypothesis is essential for guiding observations and data collection in scientific research.

Data Collection and Interpretation

Data collection involves systematically gathering information to test a hypothesis, which may include observing mating behaviors, tracking hormonal cycles, and noting group dynamics. Interpretation of the results requires analyzing the data to determine if it supports or refutes the hypothesis, considering factors like the timing of mating relative to the female's hormonal cycle and the social structure of the group.