In Belding's ground squirrels, it is mostly the females that behave altruistically by sounding alarm calls. What is the likely reason for this distinction?
A)Males have smaller vocal cords and are less likely to make sounds.
B)Females invest more in foraging and food stores, so they are more defensive.
C)Females settle in the area in which they were born, so the calling females are warning kin.
D)The sex ratio is biased.
E)Males forage alone; therefore, alarm calls are useless.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Females settle and remain in the area in which they were born, known as a philopatric society, so the females that sound alarm calls are often warning close kin with whom they share genes. Males, on the other hand, disperse to find new territories and mates, so there is less kin selection pressure for them to behave altruistically.

In Belding's Ground Squirrels, It Is Mostly the Females That