Study Questions Chapter 8: Games Animals Play

1. What is the advantage in a ritualized fight? Why is lethal fighting rare?

2. How are badges used in male contest? What are the advantages to the badge holder?

How are badges used in female choice? What are the advantages to a choosy female?

How are such badges costly? Note: an answer spanning three lectures.

3. The war of attrition suggests that males should not display information or intentions during contests because the other contestant could use such information to their advantage. What are some advantages of giving away information during contests?

4. What are the conditions for an ESS? Under what conditions is hawk an ESS? When can dove invade?

5. List two kinds of asymmetries.

6. What hormones are related to aggression? (Describe the action of a reproductive hormone and a neuropeptide). How do other hormones modify these endocrine and neuroendocrine pathways thereby creating regulatory feedback loops (list a steroid and neurological route by which modulation occurs)? Define an endocrine feedback loop (a drawing is quite useful).

7. What is the dear enemy effect? Give an example.