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 alarm is warning kin.
D) The sex ratio is biased.
E) Males forage in areas separate from females; therefore, alarm calls are useless.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavior of females sounding alarm calls is likely due to kin selection. Females settle in the area in which they were born, so the alarm is warning kin. Alarm calls can help ensure the survival of close relatives, and therefore increase the likelihood that the caller's own genes are passed on. This is an example of kin selection, whereby alleles that promote behavior benefiting close relatives are favored by natural selection.

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