After the drought of 1977, researchers hypothesized that on the Galápagos Island Daphne Major, medium ground finches with large, deep beaks survived better than those with smaller beaks because they could more easily crack and eat the tough Tribulus cistoides fruits. A tourist company sets up reliable feeding stations with a variety of bird seeds (different types and sizes) so that tourists can get a better look at the finches. Which of these events is now most likely to occur to finch beaks on this island?

#Question id: 3482

#Section 2: Evolution

Which statement below about mating behavior is correct?

A) Some aspects of courtship behavior may have evolved from agonistic interactions.

B) The degree to which evolution affects mating relationships depends on the degree of prenatal and postnatal input the parents are required to make.

C) The mating relationship in most mammals is monogamous, to ensure the reproductive success of the pair.

D) Polygamous relationships most often involve a single male and many females, but in some species this is reversed

#Question id: 3483

#Section 2: Evolution

Which of the following statements about evolution of behavior is correct?

A) Natural selection will favor behavior that enhances survival and reproduction.

B) An animal may show behavior that maximizes reproductive fitness.

C) If a behavior is less than optimal, it is not completely evolved but will eventually,become optimal.

#Question id: 3484

#Section 2: Evolution

Modern behavioral concepts relate the cost of a behavior to its benefit. Under which relationship might a behavior be performed?

A) cost is greater than the benefit

B) cost is less than the benefit

C) cost is equal to the benefit

#Question id: 3485

#Section 2: Evolution

Optimal foraging involves all of the following except

A) maximizing energy gained by the forager.

B) minimizing energy expended by the forager.

C) securing essential nutrients for the forager.

D) minimizing the risk of predation on the forager.

E) maximizing the population size of the forager

#Question id: 3396

#Section 2: Evolution

The Galapagos finches were an important clue to Darwin's thinking about the origin of species. These finches are believed to have descended from a single ancestral species that colonized the Galapagos archipelago, America, over a short period of time. The Galapagos finches differ in their beak shape and size. Different species feed on seeds that vary in size and hardness. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for these patterns?

#Question id: 3486

#Section 2: Evolution

Which of the following might affect the foraging behavior of an animal in the context of optimal foraging?

A) risk of predation

B) prey size

C) prey defenses