article by McDonald David and Potts Wayne outlines the cooperative displays

The Cooperative Behaviors and Relationships Among Male Lek-Mating Birds


The cooperative behaviors and relationships among male a Lek-mating birds are described in the essay by McDonald David and Potts Wayne. The article claims that beta males assist in wooing displays while alpha males are in charge of all mating. In these partnerships, reciprocity does not exist. In particular, beta males gain from such collaboration through promotion to the position of alpha male, faithfulness to female lek members, and few copulations. As it takes place in the lek-mating system and distinguishes unilateral rewards among alpha and beta males over a protracted period, the courtship displays in long-tailed manakins are a perplexing sort of cooperation. The alpha copulates, and the beta is heavier than the Alpha hence size is a factor of alpha dominance.

Mutualism and Offset Benefits


The article also discusses the mutualism of the benefits of the parties, skewed over time. As such, alpha males get immediate benefits while those of beta become offset over months or years. The study tested a hypothesis that kin selection partially or primarily outlines the real close male-male cooperation using 33 pairs of cooperating male birds. The results showed a mean relatedness coefficient of -0.14, SE= 0.10, 95% level of confidence and upper and lower limits of 0.07 and -0.35 respectively. The results (upper limit) disapprove kin selection hypothesis. Based on the hypothesis, the majority of partners could have positive relations, which was not the case according to the results of 17 out of 33 coefficients being negative. As such, the formation of the partnership between alpha and beta occurs randomly.

Key Elements of Long-Tailed Manakins' Cooperative Behavior


Long-tailed manakins' cooperative behavior of is key since it involves long-term reproduction, it is reciprocity, it replaces the benefits to beta males after many years, does not involves parental care, and female choices foster the cooperation.

Reflection 1


The article is insightful and gives a detailed analysis of the relations that exist between alpha and beta male Lek-mating birds. It is a credible source of information and helps understand different theories relating to the cooperative and relatedness display among the birds. The study focus on adequate sample population hence gives a conclusive evidence of the reasons for the cooperation as well as the benefits of such cooperating among the alpha and beta males. I believe it provides a key source of information to biological studies relating to the same subject. Nevertheless, the article uses comparatively difficult texts to expound different ideas.

Summary 2


Marzluff and Heinrich explain how young ravens regularly eat despite the existing inadequate food supply. The study gives an illustration about how raven feed on food in New England forest when a young Raven discovers a source of food, circles above the carcass where the food is located and after days, a group of Raven comes to feed on it. The research study shows most of the birds feeding on food in Marine forest during winter get signals from Ravens. Evolutionary and ecological theory outlines that animals tend to defend their sources of food such as a moose since they will feed on it for a longer period. Nevertheless, raven's behavior in this regard is an act of altruism to share food among other members though the behavior appears selfish at first act. Ravens form alliances aim at finding a carcass and then come together when it is found and share in the consumption due to lack of surety of finding another one and risk of losing the existing one. The food sharing system is based on trust. The article is based on 1,000 hour-experimentation where a carcass was placed in different locations and observations made on the actions of the Ravens. Results show one or two ravens discovered 25 remains. At dawn, a group of ravens joined in the consumption meaning they were notified at night. From the study, ravens feeding together did not belong to the same family. As such, sharing food does not foster propagation of the same group and guarantee future favors since it is hard to meet the same bird that fed on the same carcass. As outlined, sharing provides advantages over single eating. The birds yell when hungry and when advertising and a territory. The magnitude of yelling depends on the social status of the birds. They also take part in soaring and roost reporting to engage others.

Reflection 2


The authors give a fascinating piece of work to show the behavior of ravens in an ecological system. It employs different theories such as evolutionary and ecological theories to expound on the subject matter. The research study shows most of the birds feeding on food in Marine forest during winter get signals from Ravens hence an explanation on how young ravens regularly eat despite the existing inadequate food supply by directing one another to found carcass while fending off adults by feeding in large crowds. It gives a thoughtful insight on the behavior of animals and birds in an ecological system. The article is peer reviewed hence a credible source of biological information.

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