2.4 Flashcards

Question

Give an example of monogamy...

Answer 1

most birds due to high parental care in feeding chicks, unlikely one parent could handle feeding and protecting alone

Answer 2

In mammals, female is often only food source fore young (milk), males role is to protect, therefore polygamy common with one male mating with multiple females in harem

Answer 3

there is much to lose if they choose the wrong male so they are selective with who they mate with

Answer 4

physical features - e.g. size, strength confer to dominance so better resources behavioural features - e.g. indicates willingness to invest, good parenting

Answer 5

they compete with other females

Answer 6

they gain little from multiple matings so search for quality not quantity, almost every reproductively capable female will find a mate

Answer 7

far less choosy, little to lose, everything to gain, get as many mating opportunities as possible, seek quantity and prefer superior female but are not choosy

Answer 8

males compete vigorously with other males for access to fertile females, but success is very variable and a small number of males achieve many mating with many never mating at all

Answer 9

females generally have inconspicuous markings males have more conspicuous markings, structures and behaviours resulting in males with: - larger body size - evolution of weapons in males for fighting other males for mate - evolution of dramatic colours - displays for courtship can be reversed for some species

Answer 10

in species that travel long distances to find mates, smaller size advantage for speed and stealth

Answer 11

- display extreme dimorphism as males live an almost parasitic existence with and underdeveloped digestive system - upon finding mate, male fuses to female as a parasitic existence, taking more than just giving sperm

Answer 12

competition/rivalry sometimes determines which animals mate; fight for dominance, female access often using elaborate weapons; success through conflict (real or ritualised) increases access to females

Answer 13

some males successful as 'sneakers', strategy in which smaller males can access female partners avoiding altercations with dominant males - e.g. cuttlefish males

Answer 14

involves females assessing 'honest' signals of male fitness, signals which don't mislead a female into thinking he's fitter than he actually is

Answer 15

favourable alleles to increase offspring fitness or low parasitic burden

Answer 16

they can be disruptive for population, reducing sexual signalling system effectiveness

Answer 17

measured or describe in terms of good genes and low parasite burden fewer parasites suggest overall fitter population, less susceptible to infection

Answer 18

exhibited in some bird species - males gather to display a lek where female choice occurs, there are both dominant and satellite males

Answer 19

dominant males occupy the centre, others around the edges dominant males may be larger, have more vivid colouration or more elaborate displays

Answer 20

in birds and fish, could be due to species specific stimuli and fixed action pattern responses

Answer 21

may include giving off chemicals or making sounds or certain displays to stimulate mating

Answer 22

instinctive behaviour occurring across majority of species, often seen during mating rituals

Answer 23

1. female presents swollen belly to male (SS) 2. male performs 'zig zag' dance (FAP and SS) 3. female follows male (FAP and SS) 4. male indicates nest to female (FAP and SS) 5. female lays eggs (response)