2.4b Reproductive behaviors and mating systems in animals

Question 1

Mating systems

Answer 1

Mating systems are based on how many mates an individual has during one breeding season. These range from monogamy, polygamy, polygyny, polyandry.

Question 2

Monogamy definition

Answer 2

the mating of a pair of animals to the exclusion of all others.

Question 3

polygamy definition

Answer 3

individuals of one sex have more than one mate.

Question 4

polygyny definition

Answer 4

one male mates exclusively with a group of females.

Question 5

polyandry definition

Answer 5

one female mates with a number of males in the same breeding season.

Question 6

What are courtship rituals?

Answer 6

A set of display behaviors in which an animal, usually a male attempts to attract a mate.

many animals have mate-selection courtship rituals.

Question 7

Why do birds and fish have successful courtship behavior?

Answer 7

Successful courtship behavior in birds and fish can be a result of species-specific sign stimuli with fixed action pattern responses.

Question 8

Sexual selection

Answer 8

Sexual selection selects for characteristics that have little survival benefit for the individual, but increases their chance of mating.

Question 9

Sexual dimorphism

Answer 9

Physical differences between males and females of a species.

Many species have it due to sexual selection. Females are more likely to be inconspicuous; males usually have more conspicuous markings, structures and behaviors.

reversed sexual dimorphism exists in some species.

Question 10

Honest signals definition

Answer 10

Signals and behavior in animals that are a true representation of their biological fitness.

Question 11

Females choice

Answer 11

Female choice involves females assessing honest signals of the fitness of males.

Question 12

Honest signals

Answer 12

Honest signals can indicate favorable alleles that increase the chances of survival of offspring (fitness) or a low parasite burden suggesting a healthy individual.

Question 13

Lekking definition

Answer 13

During a lek males will display for females in a commercial display area, then females will choose a mate.

Question 14

Lek

Answer 14

In lekking dominant males occupy the center of the lek, with subordinates and juveniles at the fringes as ‘satellite’ males. During the display, female choice occurs.

Question 15

Successful male-male rivalry

Answer 15

Success in male-male rivalry through conflict (real or ritualized), increases access to females for mating.

Males will fight for dominance and access to females, often using elaborate ‘weapons’ such as antlers, tusks and horns.