Ch10-Evolution of Reproductive Behavior

Question 1

Define: parental investment

Answer 1

Costly parental activities that increase the likelihood of survival for some offspring but that reduce the parent’s chances of producing offspring in the future. Ex. Gamete production

Question 2

Define: operational sex ratio (OSR)

Answer 2

The ratio of receptive males to receptive females over time. Can change during the course of time, Australian katydid

Question 3

Define:sex role reversal.

Answer 3

A change in the typical behavior patterns of males and females as when, for example, females compete for access to males, and when males choose selectively among potential mates. Ex. Pipefish, seahorse

Question 4

Define: sexual selection

Answer 4

The advantage by which certain individuals have over others of the same sex and species, in exclusive reproduction. Sometimes has fitness costs such as energy consumption and higher vulnerability to predators. A type of natural selection. Aka intrasexual selection.

Question 5

Describe the theory of sex differences,

Answer 5

• differences in gamete size and other parental investments, differences in resources donated to mate
• leads to differences in sexual activity
• biased operational sex ratio
• competition for mates/selection of mates
• increase in matings/better quality=increase in fitness