9  •  Evolution and Behavior 365

Communication, cooperation, and conflict in the animal world

Behaviors are traits that can evolve. 366

9.1

Behavior has adaptive value, just like other traits. 366

9.2

Some behaviors are innate. 368

9.3

Some behaviors must be learned (and some are learned more easily than others). 369

9.4

Complex-appearing behaviors don’t require complex thought in order to evolve. 371

Cooperation, selfishness, and altruism can be better understood with an evolutionary approach. 373

9.5

“Kindness” can be explained. 373

9.6

Apparent altruism toward relatives can evolve through kin selection. 374

9.7

Apparent altruism toward unrelated individuals can evolve through reciprocal altruism. 377

9.8

In an “alien” environment, behaviors produced by natural selection may no longer be adaptive. 379

9.9

Selfish genes win out over group selection. 381

Sexual conflict can result from disparities in reproductive investment by males and females. 382

9.10

There are big differences in how much males and females must invest in reproduction. 382

9.11

Males and females are vulnerable at different stages of the reproductive exchange. 384

9.12

Tactics for getting a mate: competition and courtship can help males and females secure reproductive success. 386

9.13

Tactics for keeping a mate: mate guarding can protect a male’s reproductive investment. 388

9.14

This is how we do it: When paternity uncertainty seems greater, is paternal care reduced? 389

9.15

Monogamy versus polygamy: mating behaviors can vary across human and animal cultures. 391

9.16

Sexual dimorphism is an indicator of a population’s mating behavior. 393

Communication and the design of signals evolve. 395

9.17

Animal communication and language abilities evolve. 395

9.18

Honest signals reduce deception. 397

StreetBIO: KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN USE

How to win friends and influence people 398