Question

The accompanying figure shows that the rate of alarm calls made by black-tailed prairie dogs is dependent on a perceived threat by a predator. This behavior most closely approximates that predicted by ________.

A) mutual benefit
B) selfishness
C) altruism
D) spite

Answer 1

The alarm call behavior of black-tailed prairie dogs is an example of altruism because it benefits the others in the colony at a potential cost to the caller. This altruistic action is one way that such behavior can evolve through natural selection, as it might indirectly increase the caller's genetic representation in the population.

Step-by-step explanation:

The behavior of black-tailed prairie dogs making alarm calls in the presence of a predator most closely approximates the behavior predicted by altruism. Altruistic behavior in animals is often defined as an action that benefits others at a potential cost to the individual performing the action. In the case of the prairie dogs, the individual giving the alarm call may draw the attention of the predator to itself, potentially increasing its own risk of predation. This sacrificial act thus increases the overall fitness of the prairie dog colony by allowing other members to escape to safety.

Other examples of altruistic behavior include parents defending their offspring from predators, squirrels giving alarm calls, or birds using false alarm calls to deceive others and improve access to resources. Despite the apparent risk to the individual, such behaviors can evolve through natural selection if they benefit relatives who share genes with the altruist or if the favor is reciprocated in the future—both leading to an indirect increase in the altruist's genetic representation in the population.