Courtship Behaviours

Question 1

What is a courtship behaviour?

Answer 1

A set of behaviours in which an animal attempts to attract a mate and exhibit their desire to copulate

Question 2

What do courtship behaviours include?

Answer 2

Vocalisations
Displays of beauty
Displays of strength
Dances/routines

Question 3

How do they help an organism reproduce?

Answer 3

Enabling an organism to recognise their own species
Identifying if a potential mate is capable of breeding
Forming pair bonds
Synchronising mating seasons

Question 4

How does enabling members to recognise their own species help an organism to reproduce?

Answer 4

Use similarities in physical characteristics and behaviours. Prevents cross breeding and infertile offspring being produced

Question 5

How does identifying a male is capable of breeding help an organism reproduce?

Answer 5

Both partners need to sexually mature, fertile and receptive to mating. Females may only be “in season” once a year

Question 6

How does forming pair bonds help an organism reproduce?

Answer 6

Leads to successful breeding and successful raising of the offspring

Question 7

How does synchronising mating seasons help an organism to reproduce?

Answer 7

Ensures maximum chance of fertilisation. Males will show courtship behaviour to determine whether the female is in a receptive (fertile) state. If she responds with the correct courtship behaviour then mating will take place