11. If Fisher\'s runaway process is an important contributor to speciation, then
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Question
11. If Fisher's runaway process is an important contributor to speciation, then
a. species that have evolved recently should be similar in most characters except those related to mate choice
b. closely related species should never be observed to hybridize with each other
c. recently-evolved species should show little pre-zygotic isolation but should display substantial post-zygotic reproductive isolation
d. speciation rate should be higher in groups where there are stable pair bonds between males and females together with male parental care of offspring
e. species-rich taxonomic groups (those with many closely related species) should show weaker species recognition in mate choice, and therefore hybridize often, compared to species-poor groups
12. Even though the organism Escherichia coli has a formal scientific name that designates its genus and species, it is not a biological species in the same sense as Homo sapiens because E. coli:
a. hybridizes freely with other similar species
b. is polymorphic for most phenotypic traits
c. does not have any gene flow between populations in separate areas
d. has no diagnostic morphological or genetic traits that distinguish it from its relatives
e. has no fossil record showing how it differentiated from its ancestors
f. reproduces asexually
13. Reciprocal altruism, such as the food-sharing behavior of vampire bats, requires:
a. a close genetic relationship between donor and recipient
b. benefits to the recipient must be greater than the cost to the donor
c. there must be no cost to the donor
d. animals must remember how other individuals have treated them in the past
e. animals must have the ability to distinguish relatives vs. non-relatives (kin recognition)
f. both (a) and (e)
g. both (b) and (d)
h. both (c) and (e)
14. RNA sequences with >250 nucleotides would generally be less fit than shorter sequences under prebiotic conditions because:
a. longer sequences are less likely to catalyze chemical reactions that are useful for replication of the RNA molecule
b. it takes a longer time and more precursors to fully replicate a longer sequence
c. longer sequences are more subject to mistakes during copying
d. both (b) and (c)
e. (a), (b), and (c) are all correct
15. Pfennig et al. (1993) studied cannibalistic tadpoles of the spadefoot toad. Can the behavior of these animals be viewed as altruistic?
a. no; cannibalism is just a pathological behavior that takes place when food becomes scarce
b. yes; because cannibalism helps to prevent over-population
c. no; because cannibals gain a nutritional benefit from the neighboring animals that they consume
d. yes; if the cannibalistic tadpoles only eat non-kin and refrain from eating their kin
e. no; a cannibalistic animal who eats other individuals of the same species can never be considered to be altruistic
16. Konrad Lorenz argued that “for the good of the species,” animal fights are rarely lethal. Which of the following is the most compelling counter-argument to this assertion?
a. Animals of the same species rarely possess the physical means to kill each other.
b. Populations tend to produce more offspring than the carrying capacity of their environment, having individuals die in fights would be beneficial for the species.
c. Only humans can override the instinctual aversion to killing conspecifics.
d. An individual showing no restraint during fights would eliminate its competitors and maximize its individual fitness.
Explanation / Answer
11. c. recently-evolved species should show little pre-zygotic isolation but should display substantial post-zygotic reproductive isolation
12. b. is polymorphic for most phenotypic traits
13.f. both (a) and (e)
14. b. it takes a longer time and more precursors to fully replicate a longer sequence
15. a. no; cannibalism is just a pathological behavior that takes place when food becomes scarce
16. b. Populations tend to produce more offspring than the carrying capacity of their environment, having individuals die in fights would be beneficial for the species
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