Q.98 Match the respective behaviour given in Column I with the appropriate explanation in
Column II
Column I                                                           Column II
a) Agonistic behaviour                     1) Individual behaviour where fitness of other increases at the expense of self
b) Hierarchical behaviour               2) Individuals contribute towards enhancement of mutual fitness
c) Altruistic behaviour                     3) Aggressive behaviour of individuals within a population
d) Cooperative behaviour                4) Existence of different levels of dominance within a population
(A) a-4; b-1; c-2; d-3                    (B) a-3; b-4; c-1; d-2
(C) a-4; b-2; c-1; d-3                     (D) a-3; b-4; c-2; d-1

The correct answer is (B) a-3; b-4; c-1; d-2.​

Column I Definitions

Agonistic behaviour involves aggressive interactions like threats, fights, or submissions among individuals competing for resources within a population. Hierarchical behaviour refers to dominance structures where individuals hold varying ranks, reducing ongoing conflict. Altruistic behaviour occurs when one individual sacrifices its own fitness to boost another’s, such as kin protection. Cooperative behaviour entails group efforts where participants mutually enhance each other’s fitness, like shared hunting.​

Column II Matches

Option 3 matches agonistic behaviour as aggressive actions within populations. Option 4 fits hierarchical behaviour through dominance levels. Option 1 aligns with altruistic behaviour via self-sacrifice for others. Option 2 describes cooperative behaviour’s mutual benefits.​

Option Analysis

• (A) a-4; b-1; c-2; d-3: Incorrect; agonistic is not dominance levels (4), and cooperative is not aggression (3).​

• (B) a-3; b-4; c-1; d-2: Correct; matches definitions precisely across ethology standards.​

• (C) a-4; b-2; c-1; d-3: Wrong; agonistic mismatches dominance (4), hierarchical mismatches cooperation (2).​

• (D) a-3; b-4; c-2; d-1: Incorrect; altruism is not mutual gain (2), cooperation is not self-sacrifice (1).​

Animal behaviour types like agonistic behaviour matching CSIR NET questions test ethology knowledge crucial for exams. This guide breaks down on agonistic, hierarchical, altruistic, and cooperative behaviours with precise Column I-II pairings.​

Core Concepts

Agonistic behaviour matching CSIR NET hinges on recognizing aggression (3) for agonistic (a), dominance ranks (4) for hierarchical (b), self-sacrifice (1) for altruistic (c), and mutual aid (2) for cooperative (d). These align with evolutionary fitness principles in Unit 11.​

• Agonistic: Threats and fights in populations​

• Hierarchical: Rank-based stability​

• Altruistic: Kin-selected costs​

• Cooperative: Group benefits​

Exam Strategy

For agonistic behaviour matching CSIR NET, eliminate mismatches like pairing altruism with cooperation. Practice recalls Hamilton’s rule for altruism and ritualized displays for hierarchies. Option B prevails as standard.​​