<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

The kin selection hypothesis

This chapter will conclude with a brief analysis of the support and opposition for kin selection as a mechanism of lek creation and persistence. Although kin selection is not a distinct hypothesis in itself, it can play a role in any of the mechanisms proposed to explain lek behavior. Kin selection is a common evolutionary explanation for the basis of many animal behaviors. At heart, the theory proposes relatedness as an explanation for behaviors that would otherwise prove disadvantageous for an organism. An organism can pass on its genes directly, through traditional reproduction, or indirectly, by increasing the reproductive fitness of its relatives who share its genes (Hamilton 1964). Thus, it is oftentimes more advantageous for an organism to forgo reproduction in order to assist in the reproductive efforts of his kin. Researchers see potential for the explanation of the group mating structure of leks in terms of kin selection and increased relatedness between members. One of the biggest conundrums of the lek system comes from trying to understand the role of lesser males on the lek. Numerous studies have shown a positive correlation between lek size and frequency of female visits to the lek (see The Preference Hypothesis), which indicates that these lesser, unsuccessful, males are actually increasing the fitness of their more successful counterparts (Petrie 1999). When considering full benefit to the organism, including indirect benefits, this behavior can be understood if the successful males are closely related to the unsuccessful males. Because lower ranking are very unlikely to successfully copulate, theoretical evidence predicts that they join leks where the dominant male is closely related so that they receive indirect benefits (Loiselle 2006).

Hamilton’s rule

Hamilton’s Rule is a simple and effective method for analyzing indirect benefits and inclusive fitness. The rule states that a behavior with benefit b and cost c to an organism, with relatedness r between organism and partners in the act, is evolutionarily favored if

rb – c>0

(Hamilton 1964)

Support

Peacocks

Peacocks establish their permanent display areas in the lek during their fourth year and return to this site every year, where they remain for the duration of the mating season (Petrie 1999). Peacocks are traditional lekking organisms in that the males play no role in reproduction once copulation is complete. On lek, the males are oftentimes as close as 2.5m from one another. Peacock leks demonstrate many characteristics of any classic lekking species. The peacocks congregate in large display arenas and call together, as a group, to attract the peahens. A peahen’s arrival at the lek signals the males to stop calling and instead display their tail coverts in competitive display behavior. Like most leks, the success of the displaying males is very skewed and the majority of the peacocks receive no copulations in return for their elaborate calling and displaying.

Questions & Answers

what is mutation
Janga Reply
what is a cell
Sifune Reply
how is urine form
Sifune
what is antagonism?
mahase Reply
classification of plants, gymnosperm features.
Linsy Reply
what is the features of gymnosperm
Linsy
how many types of solid did we have
Samuel Reply
what is an ionic bond
Samuel
What is Atoms
Daprince Reply
what is fallopian tube
Merolyn
what is bladder
Merolyn
what's bulbourethral gland
Eduek Reply
urine is formed in the nephron of the renal medulla in the kidney. It starts from filtration, then selective reabsorption and finally secretion
onuoha Reply
State the evolution relation and relevance between endoplasmic reticulum and cytoskeleton as it relates to cell.
Jeremiah
what is heart
Konadu Reply
how is urine formed in human
Konadu
how is urine formed in human
Rahma
what is the diference between a cavity and a canal
Pelagie Reply
what is the causative agent of malaria
Diamond
malaria is caused by an insect called mosquito.
Naomi
Malaria is cause by female anopheles mosquito
Isaac
Malaria is caused by plasmodium Female anopheles mosquitoe is d carrier
Olalekan
a canal is more needed in a root but a cavity is a bad effect
Commander
what are pathogens
Don Reply
In biology, a pathogen (Greek: πάθος pathos "suffering", "passion" and -γενής -genēs "producer of") in the oldest and broadest sense, is anything that can produce disease. A pathogen may also be referred to as an infectious agent, or simply a germ. The term pathogen came into use in the 1880s.[1][2
Zainab
A virus
Commander
Definition of respiration
Muhsin Reply
respiration is the process in which we breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide
Achor
how are lungs work
Commander
where does digestion begins
Achiri Reply
in the mouth
EZEKIEL
what are the functions of follicle stimulating harmones?
Rashima Reply
stimulates the follicle to release the mature ovum into the oviduct
Davonte
what are the functions of Endocrine and pituitary gland
Chinaza
endocrine secrete hormone and regulate body process
Achor
while pituitary gland is an example of endocrine system and it's found in the Brain
Achor
what's biology?
Egbodo Reply
Biology is the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized field that cover their morphology, physiology,anatomy, behaviour,origin and distribution.
Lisah
biology is the study of life.
Alfreda
Biology is the study of how living organisms live and survive in a specific environment
Sifune
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Mockingbird tales: readings in animal behavior. OpenStax CNX. Jan 12, 2011 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11211/1.5
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Mockingbird tales: readings in animal behavior' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask