Courtship

Question 1

What does Courtship involve?

Answer 1

Behaviours and characteristics associated with attracting a mate. DNA sequences that result in higher chances of successful breeding are favoured by sexual selection.

Question 2

What is imprinting?

Answer 2

An irreversible developmental process that occurs during a critical time period in young animals. Imprinting increases fitness through natural selection, as forming an attachment to a parent that is providing care increases survival chances. Also, imprinting can influence mate choice as offspring may select mates that resemble parental phenotypes.

Question 3

What is Sexual dimorphism?

Answer 3

The differences in characteristics between males and females of the same species, apart from the sexual organs.

Question 4

What is male-male rivalry?

Answer 4

This is where males who are successful will be those who have greater weaponry, and these fitness characters that will be advantageous to offspring.

Question 5

What are honest signals?

Answer 5

Characteristics that allow potential mates to assess the genetic quality of the males.

Question 6

What is lekking?

Answer 6

Lekking involves communal displaying by groups of males. Females visit the lek area to assess males and select a suitable mate.