ANTH 2-7 Flashcards
How can FEMALES improve access to resources?
Defend a solitary range
OR form smaller groups to compete with and win against smaller groups…
but this means more competition w/ group members
Females often live in groups w/ female kin
dominance hierarchies
Benefits/costs of dominance for FEMALES
Benefits:
access to resources
less harrassment/stress
potentially pass on more genes
Costs of high rank:
time lost
wounds
stress
modes of MALE competition
pair living
a male overlaps w/ several solitary females, OR Single-male groups
multi-male groups
pair living
males invest in mate-guarding rather than physical fighting
A male overlaps with several solitary females OR Single-male groups
males invest heavily in fighting ability
strive to keep other males out
multi-male groups
within-group competition for access to females
males invest in both fighting ability and fertilization ability (larger testes)
MALE Sexually Selected Traits
Competition w/ other males:
larger body size
weapons (canines)
vocalizations
larger tests and sperm plugs
Mate choice by females:
ornagments
vocalizations
odor
FEMALE Sexually Selected Traits
Competition w/ other females:
usually less direct contest competition for mates among females
instead, compete to be more attractive to males
mate choice by males:
ornaments
sexual swelling
odor
Female Counter Strategies
Females use different strategies to protect themselves and their offspring.
They may show bright colors to attract multiple mates and confuse paternity.
They form bonds with a few male partners.
Some choose one mate to ensure he protects their offspring, though this can be risky.
They build alliances with other females.
Why do primates live in so many kinds of social and mating systems?
Optimizations resulting from competition within sexes and between sexes (what males and females want)
RESOURCES!!!
