Short Essay Exam 1: You are to select five of any of the following questions to answer for the exam. Question answers should be complete, but there is no page requirement.  You should expect to spend 10-15 minutes on each question.  You may bring in one note card, no larger than 4x6, to use as an outline for your thoughts. Some of the questions have a higher start value than others, meaning that they offer bonus potential if answered thoroughly.

1. Compare and contrast the following methods of species diversification: center of origin, corridor route, filter route, and sweepstakes route. Give relative examples of each of these methods. (20 points)
2. Describe the difference between microparasites and macroparasites. List five species from each grouping that are known to affect mammals and then describe their appearance and how they affect their hosts. (20 points)
3. Define zoonoses and describe (in detail) five zoonoses that affect mammals. Be sure to include which pathogen is responsible for the disease and how it is passed to the host. (20 points)
4. Describe what is meant by the co-evolutionary development of host-parasite assemblages in mammals. Give some examples of when this takes place. What role does the mobility of mammalian hosts play in this? Why might host-specific relationships be more likely to develop in pocket gophers than in white-tailed deer? (25 points)
5. Describe the r-K selection model.  How is this model used to predict life history traits?  Describe the way life history traits are affected by being either r or K selected, and give examples of each of these, using some form of mammal to do so. (20 points)
6. Do animals intend to tell lies? How would you test this idea? If only humans tell lies, what makes them different from other mammals and able to do so?  If other animals do indeed tell lies, how would you prove this? (25 points)
7. Incidental movements associated with behavior patterns are thought to influence the evolution of displays. For instance, drinking and preening in ducks have evolved into courtship displays that probably started from increased nervous activity during moments of stress or anticipation. Name three communicative behaviors seen in your household pet and theorize as to what incidental movement could have given rise to this trait. Describe the selective mechanism that may have allowed each trait to turn into an adaptation. (25 points)
8. Describe the primary modes of communication utilized in mammals.  Give examples of which type of mammals rely primarily on each of the different mode. Be sure to include terms such as priming and signaling pheromones, flehmen, sound window, and flagging behavior. (20 points)
9. Why do males usually compete for females rather than vice versa? Include in your discussion the concepts of parental investment and potential rate of reproduction. What type of physical characteristics tends to be found in males, not females, due to male-male competition? (25 points)
10.  Why is polyandry so uncommon in mammals? What sorts of ecological and phylogenetic circumstances might favor polyandry? On a similar note, why is female dominance rare in mammals? Under what mating system and which types of ecological conditions might female dominance evolve? (25 points)

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