2.4b Reproductive behaviours and mating systems in animals Flashcards
What are mating systems based on?
how many mates an individual has during one breeding season
What is monogamy?
the mating of a pair of animals to the exclusion of others
What is polygamy?
Individuals of one sex have more than one mate
What is polygyny?
one male mates exclusively with a group of females
What is polyandry?
one female mates with a number of males in the same breeding season
What do many animals have?
mate-selection courtship rituals
What is successful courtship behaviour in birds and fish a result of?
species-specific sign stimuli and fixed action pattern responses
What does sexual selection select for?
characteristics that have little survival benefit for the individual, but increase their chances of mating
What is sexual dimorphism?
- Females are generally inconspicuous;
- males usually have more conspicuous markings, structures and behaviours.
What is the opposite of sexual dimorphism?
reversed sexual dimorphism
What does female choice involve?
females assessing honest signals of the fitness of males
What can honest signals indicate?
favourable alleles that increase the chances of survival of offspring (fitness) or a low parasite burden suggesting a healthy individual.
What happens in a lek?
- males gather to display at a lek, where female choice occurs
- Some bird species exhibit lekking behaviour.
- Dominant males occupy the centre of the lek, with subordinates and juveniles at the fringes as ‘satellite’ males.
- During the display, female choice occurs.
What does success in male-make rivalry through conflict do? (real or ritualised)
increases access to females for mating
Males will fight for dominance and access to females, often using elaborate ‘weapons’ such as antlers, tusks, horns.
