Final answer:
The question pertains to the impact of behaviors on natural selection in species. It includes the importance of imprinting in whooping crane chicks and the effects of mimetic traits, like eyespots in butterflies, on predator-prey dynamics. Additionally, it discusses the nature of behaviors in mixed-species parrot chicks as being innate or learned.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the impact of certain behaviors and characteristics on natural selection with specific examples related to whooping crane chicks and the mimicry observed in cuckoo chicks. When discussing the whooping crane, it’s noted that the imprinting behavior of the chicks necessitates that workers wear costumes that resemble adult cranes. The purpose of this is to prevent the chicks from forming an attachment to humans, which could interfere with their natural development and behavior. This example highlights the importance of species-specific behaviors in the survival and breeding success of animals.
Another point of discussion is the natural selection seen in predator-prey interactions. For example, the fleeing behavior of yellow buntings in response to butterflies with eyespots demonstrates a selection pressure on butterflies to exhibit features that discourage predation. Conversely, the mobbing call of small birds, while effective against nest predators, can also attract larger predatory birds, demonstrating a selection process at work.
Comparing behaviors of chicks in mixed nesting groups (such as different species of parrots) allows us to classify these behaviors as innate or learned and shows how they can influence the success of the species involved.