Exam 14: Habitat Selection, Territoriality, and Migration

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Which of the following prediction(s) arise from the ideal free distribution model?

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Read the article by Moczek & Emlen (2000) entitled "Male Horn Dimorphism in the Scarab Beetle, Onthophagus taurus: Do Alternative Reproductive Tactics Favor Alternative Phenotypes?" (Animal Behaviour, vol. 59, pp. 459-466). In this beetle species, two male morphologies exist-one with horns and one without. Horned males are incredibly adept at defending their territories, which are intricate tunnels that often contain breeding females. With that said, how can hornless male phenotypes be maintained in the population? How do you suppose the small, hornless males gain equal reproductive success as horned territorial males?

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The maintenance of hornless male phenotypes in the population of the scarab beetle, Onthophagus taurus, despite the presence of highly successful horned males, can be attributed to alternative reproductive tactics. While the horned males excel at defending territories and gaining access to breeding females, the smaller hornless males utilize a different strategy to achieve equal reproductive success.

One possible explanation is that hornless males may invest more in sperm production and mating effort, as opposed to investing in costly horn development and territory defense. This alternative tactic allows them to mate with females while the horned males are occupied defending their territories. Additionally, hornless males may also engage in sneaky or opportunistic mating behaviors, such as mating with females while the dominant males are preoccupied or engaging in extra-pair copulations.

Furthermore, the presence of hornless males in the population may also provide genetic diversity and contribute to the overall fitness of the species. It's possible that hornless males possess traits that are advantageous in certain environmental conditions or provide benefits in other aspects of their reproductive success, such as increased sperm competitiveness or offspring survival.

Overall, the coexistence of horned and hornless male phenotypes in the population of Onthophagus taurus can be attributed to the presence of alternative reproductive tactics and the potential benefits of genetic diversity. Despite the apparent advantage of horned males in territory defense, the smaller hornless males are able to gain equal reproductive success through alternative mating strategies and potential genetic contributions to the population.

Irruptive migration refers to a situation in which:

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What type of information is important for a territorial animal to learn before versus after territorial establishment?

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In its simplest form, the conspecific cueing hypothesis examines whether:

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Stress hormones like corticosterone typically:

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What is the difference between piloting, path integration (dead reckoning) and true navigation? Read the article by Jorge and colleagues (2012), "Homing in Rocky Intertidal Fish. Are Lipophrys pholis l. Able to Perform True Navigation?" (Animal Cognition, vol. 15, pp. 1173-1181). Describe the experimental approach used by the authors and discuss which homing mechanism the fish use. If the fish use true navigation, this implies some sort of "map and compass" approach. Given that compasses rely on the magnetic field, do you think animals have the ability to detect the magnetic field? Generate at least two hypotheses regarding how animals might use a magnetic sense for navigational purposes.

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Why is the relationship between territory holders and satellites sometimes considered to be a case of conditional cooperation? Under what circumstances will this cooperative interaction break down?

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Abiotic factors that can influence the habitat an animal chooses include:

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Which of the following factors has NOT been implicated as a means by which fish migrate back to their natal stream as adults?

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If the ideal free distribution is achieved, then individuals who move from their current patch will:

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Read the article by Altizer and colleagues entitled "Animal Migration and Infectious Disease Risk" (Science, vol. 331, pp. 296-302). Discuss at least two hypotheses regarding how migration might lower the risk of parasite/pathogen infection. How might anthropogenic activities generate "hot spots" for pathogen transmission, and how might this have an adverse effect on human health?

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Territorial defense is economically feasible when:

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Males that do not establish a territory of their own but are sometimes tolerated on a territorial male's residence in exchange for assistance in territorial defense are referred to as:

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Read the article by Detto and colleagues (2010), "When and Why Do Territorial Coalitions Occur? Experimental Evidence from a Fiddler Crab" (American Naturalist, vol. 175, pp. E119-E125). What is a territorial defense coalition? What rules determine the formation of coalitions in these fiddler crabs? Relate the authors' findings to what you learned about "paths to cooperation" in Chapter 10 of Principles of Animal Behavior.

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Of the following conditions, which one favors staying on a territory to help raise young?

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