The accompanying figure shows that the rate of alarm calls made by black-tailed prairie dogs is dependent on a perceived threat by a predator.This behavior affects ________.
A) the direct fitness of the caller
B) the indirect fitness of the caller
C) both the direct and indirect fitness of the caller
D) neither the direct nor indirect fitness of the caller

Question

The accompanying figure shows that the rate of alarm calls made by black-tailed prairie dogs is dependent on a perceived threat by a predator.This behavior affects ________. 
A) the direct fitness of the caller 
B) the indirect fitness of the caller 
C) both the direct and indirect fitness of the caller 
D) neither the direct nor indirect fitness of the caller

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate of alarm calls made by black-tailed prairie dogs affects both the direct and indirect fitness of the caller. Direct fitness is affected because the caller's own chance of survival increases when it alerts others to the presence of a predator. Indirect fitness is also affected because the caller's relatives or kin are more likely to survive, thereby increasing the transmission of the caller's genes through shared genetics.

The Accompanying Figure Shows That the Rate of Alarm Calls