BI102

General Biology

Spring 2012

Dr. Brian K. Penney

Goulet 2320

603 641-7149

bpenney@anselm.edu

Brian K. Penney 's web page

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1. Define social behavior and sociobiology and provide examples of each.

   • Social behavior is interaction between two or more individuals of the same species, such as aggression, courtship and cooperation. All social behavior requires some form of communication.
   • Sociobiology places social behavior in an evolutionary context, illustrating how particular behaviors are adaptive and how they could have arisen by natural selection.

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2. Describe the different signal modalities used by animals, and contrast the effectiveness in different environments.

   Signals often use multiple modalities, with the specific type determined by the organisms' construction and environment

   • chemical
   • visual
   • acoustic/vibration
   • tactile

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3. Describe the typical functions and form of mating behavior in animals, and compare the three major types of mating systems.

   Mating behavior is influenced by selection to ensure the perpetuation of one's genes and is influenced by female choice and certainty of paternity

   • mating systems range from monogamous to polygamous to promiscuous
   • often elaborate courtship rituals signal the species, sex and intentions of the participants and may also indicate the fitness of potential mates

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4. Define agonistic behavior and dominance hierarchies, and explain their adaptive significance.

   • Dominance hierarchies lessen competition within populations

   • Conflicts often resolved via agonistic behavior: ritualistic, non-lethal competition. Reconciliatory behaviors mend relationships after conflict.

   • may allow greater fitness not only for dominant individuals, but for the group as a whole as members spend proportionally less time competing.

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5. Define a territory and describe the ways in which territories are used, identifiedand defended.

   • Territorial behavior parcels space and resources when these are in short (but not scarce) supply.
   • Territories are marked through chemical, visual or auditory signals, but must be constantly updated.
   • territory size is based on the tradeoff of energy expended versus resources gained (needed and abundance), organism/group size

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6. Define and distinguish between altruism, kin selection and reciprocal altruism, and provide examples of each.

   • Complex social organizations depend on elaborate communication among individuals to coordinate action.
   • Some degree of altruism is often present in social organizations.
   • Actions of altruism are explained by kin selection or inclusive fitness where sacrifice for another group member increases a gene's frequency in a population, or by reciprocal altruism. (see Lab 8, Evolution of Cooperative Behavior)
   • Reciprocal altruism typically explains interactions in looser social groups consisting of multiple families, while truly eusocial groups typically involve kin selection.

Copyright 2007-2012, Brian K. Penney

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