Such an idea leads to the concept of inclusive fitness. Inclusive fitness is the total success in passing alleles to the next generation, either by the efforts of a parent or by the altruistic acts of a relative. Remember inclusive fitness Relatedness of individuals in hive. In many species, members engage in competitive behavior to establish and defend a territory. Animals defend territories for raising young, mating, or foraging as long as defending the territory will increase their reproductive potential.
Many species choose the ideal, or optimal, solution to a feeding problem.
Such energy-efficient feeding is termed optimal foraging. In general, most species attempt to maximize the amount of food they get for the energy expended. In other words, species maximize energy intake with minimum energy expenditure. Interactions Between Species Affect Foraging Foraging behavior also depends on how an individual interacts with members of other species. For example, animals adjust feeding behavior when predators are present in order to increase their own survival chances.