Kin Selection

In colonies of Belding’s ground squirrels, it is common for one squirrel, standing on top of a burrow, to produce a loud whistle-like alarm call, warning the colony of an approaching aerial predator. Which colony member is most likely to perform this act?

the oldest male the youngest female an older female any mature member of the colony

Why are older female squirrels more likely to make alarm calls compared to males and/or their younger female relatives?

predators are disinterested in capturing older squirrels older females are no longer producing offspring older females have more experience avoiding predators older females have the largest number of relatives in the colony

The apparently altruistic behavior of making an alarm call in response to a predator is an example of

paternity uncertainty

kin selection

reproductive investment

fixed action pattern

An older female Belding’s ground squirrel is transplanted to a new colony where she has no relatives. A predator approaches the colony. What will this older female do?

sense the lack of relatives and not make an alarm call defer to a younger, native female member of the colony to make an alarm call make an alarm call even though no relatives are present sense the lack of relatives and abandon the colony