BIOC54H3 Chapter Notes -Bluegill, Acorn Woodpecker, Pumpkinseed
Document Summary
Social behaviour does not necessarily mean a better life (fitness and sexual reproductive success), since more solitary species have on average left more descendants than social species. One example is establishing social hierarchy and betas submitting to alphas in order to stay in the group. (table on pg 458 on cost-benefits of social living). Reproduction interference also increases the price of sociality, competing for females or brood parasites by other members. Acorn woodpecker, forms social groups where females lay eggs in same nest. Those that lay eggs first often have their eggs thrown out by other female members of the social group. Laying them together, finally, they incubate the eggs and resolve the destroying of eggs. Another 2 costs of sociality: 1) competition for food, 2) increased vulnerability to parasites and pathogens. The 2nd prediction is supported by the finding that the degree of sociality among bees is linked to the ability of species to combat staph bacteria.
