Offspring desertion and infanticide behavior in animal behavior

Topic: Offspring Desertion and Infanticide Behavior

Thesis : Most acts of offspring desertion and infanticide are rooted in some form of survival.

I. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs A. Basic Needs

1. Physiological/Biological needs a) Food, water, shelter, sex, sleep, homeostasis, excretion of wastes

2. Safety a) Security of all things : self preservation, resources, health, territory B. Psychological Needs 1. Love/Belonging a) Social acceptance, positive contributions to the group 2. Esteem a) Respect of others, hierarchy of power, dominance C. Self-Fulfillment Needs 1. Self-Actualization a) Morality, problem solving, creativity, acceptance of facts, lack of prejudice

II. Types of Infanticide A. Males

1. Sexual conflict/dominance, fitness a) Kill existing young to mate and reproduce their own offspring

2. Resource competition a) Infant is source of nutrition

3. Sexual Frustration/ desperation a) Sea otters

3. Surplus killing a) For sport

B. Females (Natures version of abortion) 1. Environmental stressors : pathological response to abnormal stressors a) Zoo/captivity I. Zoo Elephants (may not recognize an infant, lack of social introduction to change, lack of social needs being met for paternity, etc.) II. Hamsters (solitary and nocturnal creatures) 2. Protecting young I. Killing of older offspring to give their newest litter a chance to thrive 3. Lack of resources 4. Culling of young for resource competition purposes I. Weak, deformed, small, sickly young II. Snowy egrets (third egg sacrifice) 5. Self-preservation I. Kangaroo/joeys 6. Emotional fulfillment I. Chimp/ Gorillas steal another moms babies to “play” mom II. Humans 1. Hormonal deficiency 2. Relational 3. Munchaunsen Syndrome

III. Types of Offspring Desertion (Natures version of adoption) A. Parental Investment Theory (Robert Trivers) 1. Notes that males in many species do not need to invest as many resources in offspring as females do and, as a consequence of this sex difference, natural selection should generate a host of sex-differentiated adaptations and counter adaptations. B. Operational sex ration 1. The ratio of sexually active males to sexually receptive females at any given time 2. Key behavioral difference in sexes 3. Natural response amplified by variation in the degree to a female and male provide parental care for their offspring I. Males a). Many male animals do not participate in the rearing of their young i) Bears, lions, sand goby, assassin bug II. Females a). Abandon at birth i) Snakes, Panda bears and Merino sheep (twins) b). Brood parasites ii. Brown-headed cowbirds