Evolutionary Paradigm PARADIGM- set of assumptions about the nature of the phenomena to be studied and how it will be approached. An accepted theoretical framework
Evolutionary Theories Natural Selection TheoryNatural Selection Theory Sexual Selection TheorySexual Selection Theory Sociobiological TheorySociobiological Theory
Natural Selection Theory Understand the basic principles of Natural Selection Know some examples of NS in action Understand terms
Individuals within a species vary
Behavioral variation
Traits are heritable
Behaviors related too...
More offspring will be produced than will survive (drives competition)More offspring will be produced than will survive (drives competition) Individuals with favorable traits will have an advantage over others without those traits.Individuals with favorable traits will have an advantage over others without those traits. Those that survive will produce more offspring.Those that survive will produce more offspring. Survival is dependent on contextSurvival is dependent on context
VI. Some examples Peppered MothPeppered Moth
Modern Day Finches
Directional Selection
Behavioral changes
Unit of selection Natural Selection works on the level of the individual.Natural Selection works on the level of the individual. Evolution works on the level of the populationEvolution works on the level of the population
Sexual Selection
The differential ability of individuals to acquire mates- features evolve, not to enhance survival but to make one more attractive to a mate and compete for access to mates. Male male competition Female choice
Sociobiology “the systematic study of the biological basis for behavior” E. O. Wilson – –Reproductive success- number of offspring produced. – –Genetic fitness- the relative contribution of one’s genes into the next generation
TERMINOLOGY Natural Selection- mechanism of evolutionary change for survival. Evolution- changes (genetic) within populations.Natural Selection- mechanism of evolutionary change for survival. Evolution- changes (genetic) within populations. Sexual Selection- mechanism of evolutionary change for reproduction (mate choice, competition).Sexual Selection- mechanism of evolutionary change for reproduction (mate choice, competition). Sociobiology-theory that states that behavior has a biological basis, behaviors can function as adaptations to improve overall reproductive success of an individual.Sociobiology-theory that states that behavior has a biological basis, behaviors can function as adaptations to improve overall reproductive success of an individual.
More Terminology Fitness- an individual’ relative genetic contribution to the next generation.Fitness- an individual’ relative genetic contribution to the next generation. Reproductive success- # offspring one produces that reaches reproductive age.Reproductive success- # offspring one produces that reaches reproductive age. Adaptation- functional response of an organism to it’s environment.Adaptation- functional response of an organism to it’s environment. Selection Pressure-environmental forces that influence the Reproductive Success of an individual.Selection Pressure-environmental forces that influence the Reproductive Success of an individual.