2.4b - Reproductive Behaviours and Mating Systems in Animals Flashcards
Mating systems are based on…
how many mates an individual has during one breeding season
Monogamy
the mating of a pair of animals to the exclusion of all others
Polygamy
individuals of one sex have more than one mate
Polygyny
one male mates exclusively with a group of females
Polyandry
one female mates with a number of males in the same breeding season
Many animals have mate-selection…
courtship rituals
Successful courtship behaviour in birds and fish can be a result of…
species-specific sign stimuli and fixed action pattern responses
Sexual selection selects for…
characteristics that have little survival benefit for the individual but increase their chances of mating
As a product of sexual selection, many species exhibit…
sexual dimorphism
Females are generally…
inconspicuous
Males usually have more…
conspicuous markings structures and behaviours
In some species, reverse…
sexual dimorphism occurs
Female choice involves…
females assessing honest signals of fitness of males
Honest signals can indicate…
favourable alleles that increase the chances of offspring (fitness) or a low parasite burden suggesting a healthy individual
In lekking species, males gather to…
display at a lek, where female choice occurs
Some bird species exhibit…
lekking behaviour
Structure of a lek
- dominant males occupy the centre of the lek
- subordinates and juveniles at the fringes as ‘satellite’ males
During lekking…
female choice occurs
Success in male0male rivalry through conflict (real or ritualised), increases…
access to females for mating
Males will fight for dominance and access to females, often using…
elaborate ‘weapons’ such as antler, tusks and horns
