Adelie Penguin study Flashcards
1
Q
What mating system do Adelie penguins have?
A
Socially monogamous (+ EPC)
2
Q
What are the 2 sources of sperm competition in Adelie penguins?
A
- Extra Pair Copulations (EPCs) = 9.8% of females
- Mate switching = 14.9%
3
Q
Describe prostitution in Adelie penguins
A
- Females exchange EPC for nest building resources
- Stones are in great demand in the colony, if they steal = agressive respone
- But, after females can take stones unchallenged
4
Q
What are the male and female benefits of prostitution in Adelie penguins
A
Male:
Extra offspring
Potential mate
Female:
A source of stones
Fertility assurance
Good genes
5
Q
What is a significant limiting factor to insemination for male Adelie penguins?
And how do they deal with this?
A
- Limited semen supplies
- They allocate sperm strategically (to prioritise EPCs over Pair Copulations)
6
Q
What mechanism allows for male Adelies to strategically allocate sperm?
A
They withold ejaculates from their partners and strategically allocate them to EP females
7
Q
Why do male Adelies strategically allocate sperm to EPCs rather than PCs?
A
- There is a conflict between this and protecting paternity
- But males can outcomepete simply by copulating frequently
- Paternity is unlikley but worth the risk! doubled reproductive output
