A. What is the key assumption upon which optimal foraging theory is based? B. Us
ID: 280705 • Letter: A
Question
A. What is the key assumption upon which optimal foraging theory is based?
B. Using the marginal value theorem (MVT) as a framework, how do the fruit trees in panel (a) above differ from each other from the perspective of a monkey? For how long should a monkey forage in each tree before leaving? Be specific.
C. How do the fruit trees in panel (b) above differ from each other from the perspective of a monkey? For how long should a monkey forage in each tree before leaving? Be specific.
D. Given your answer to the previous question (4C), what is an alternative hypothesis about how the fruit trees in panel (b) above differ from each other from the perspective of a monkey that would also explain the observed patterns? Explain.
Question 4. Monkeys will often actively search for fruit trees, feeding on the fruit within a tree until it is mostly gone and then leaving to look for another tree in which to feed. Optimal foraging theory makes predictions about which behaviors should be favored by natural selection. Consider the following figure showing cumulative energy gain per minute for monkeys feeding in different fruit trees (green lines): Tree 1 Cumulative energy gain (G) Tree 2 0 5 10 15 30 35 40 45 20 25 Time (T) Tree 1 Cumulative energy gain (G) Tree 2 0 5 10 15 30 35 40 45 20 25 Time (T) @Explanation / Answer
A,) the key assumption here is that the most economically favourable foraging partner is naturally selected. The most economical pattern is the one which involves minimum investment in terms of energy and time along with maximum utilization of energy.
B) it takes different amount of time for the monkeys to reach different trees. This time is plotted in panel A. It's takes 10units for the 1st tree while 20 units in case of tree2.
On tree1, the monkey forages for 35 units while on tree 2 , it forGes for 45 min.
C and D) both trees are equally accessible but still the monkey forages on tree 1 for a longer time (37 units) as opposed to the time it forages on tree 2 (27 units). This suggests that tree shall give a higher energy gain in a short amount of time.
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