Question

14) You are studying the rose-spotted numbat, which lives for one year. In this species there are two types of helpers. Type I helpers repel predators, bring food to the young and defend the territory. Having one of these helpers increases the reproductive output of the breeders by 0.5 offspring. Type I helpers are related to the young of the breeding pair by r-0.4, on average. Additionally, the Type I helpers can occasionally breed and produce, on average, 0.5 offspring per year. Type II helpers do not breed, however, they are much more effective in providing help to the breeders. Their help, which is also given exclusively to the breeders (to whose young they are also related by r 0.4) results in an increase of 1.5 offspring. Which of the following statements is true? a) Type II helpers have greater direct fitness than Type I helpers b) Type II helpers have greater inclusive fitness than Type I helpers c) Breeders with Type I helpers have higher fitness than breeders with Type II helpers d) Type I helpers have greater indirect fitness than Type II helpers e) Type I helpers do not increase the fitness of the breeders they help

Answer 1

Answer:

b) Type II helpers have greater inclusive fitness than Type I helpers

Explanation: