Höner and colleagues (2007) studied eight clans of spotted hyenas in northern Tanzania between 1996 and 2006, testing four hypotheses for natal dispersal by male hyenas. The hypotheses were that males disperse (1) to avoid competition with other males for mates, (2) to avoid inbreeding, (3) to avoid competition for food, or (4) in response to female patterns of mate choice. Which of the following variables would provide the most direct test of hypothesis 1?
A) the number of main prey animals per adult or yearling hyena
B) the number of reproductively active natal and immigrant males present
C) the number of unrelated adult females in the clan
D) the number of young females available most likely to breed with males

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of reproductively active natal and immigrant males present directly relates to male competition for mates, thus providing a direct test of the hypothesis that males disperse to avoid competition with other males for mates.

Höner and Colleagues (2007) Studied Eight Clans of Spotted Hyenas