Exam 2 (16, 17, and 18-ish) Flashcards
define sexual dimorphism
when males and females of the same species look morphologically different
what is the solution to extreme morphologies that appear to be maladaptive in one sex often resulting in exaggerated traits?
sexual selection
define sexual selection
- differential reproduction due to the variation in the ability to obtain mates and/or fertilize offspring
OR - unequal distribution of sexes with differential levels of mating
the sex of a species subjected to ____ (strong to weak) selection will be competitive
strong
the sex of a species subjected to ____ (strong or weak) selection will be choosy
weak
what does it mean to be the sex subjected to strong selection?
more variation in success than the other sex in your species
sexual selection in pipefish (what happens? who is choosy? who is competitive?)
- males raise the young
- males have less variation (choosy)
- females can mate with a male and leave to mate again (competitive)
sexual selection in rough-skinned newts (what happens? who is choosy? who is competitive?)
- males compete for mates (competitive)
- females get mated by winner of competition (choosy)
when does sexual selection occur?
when there are differences in reproductive opportunity, reproductive variance, or costs of reproduction between sexes
where do the differences that cause sexual selection to occur come from? (3)
- metabolic/nutritional cost of sperm vs. eggs
- potential rates of reproduction
- parental care
causes of sexual selection: metabolic/nutritional cost of sperm vs. eggs
cheap to produce sperm so males can fertilize many females but females may be more choosy
causes of sexual selection: potential rates of reproduction
One individual can be more sexually successful than others (social systems affect this)
causes of sexual selection: parental care
- investment in offspring
- different in parental care between sexes
what are the overarching modes of sexual selection?
- intersexual selection
- intrasexual selection
what are the four types of intrasexual selection?
- direct combat
- sperm competition
- infanticide
- alternative mating strategies
define intrasexual selection
competition between individuals in the same sex (males vs. males)
intrasexual selection examples: direct combat (2)
- Galapagos iguanas
- bighorn sheep
direct combat: Galapagos iguanas
- males butt heads to find stronger individual
- stronger one controls territory and therefore has control of the offspring production
- if you’re too big you have bad survival but great sexual selection
intrasexual selection examples: sperm competition (2)
- damselflies
- primate testes
sperm competition: damselflies
- female fly is fertilized by a male (sperm sac inside female)
- another male comes and rips out the sperm sac and puts his own in
sperm competition: primate testes
female primates prefer larger testes for more sperm per ejaculation
intrasexual selection examples: infanticide (1)
Male lions taking over a pride
infanticide: lion prides
- new male takes over pride and kills all offspring of the old male
- makes females more receptive to mating with him
intrasexual selection examples: alternative mating strategies (1)
coho salmon
alternative mating strategies: coho salmon
- males choose to come back after either 18 months or 6 months
- if after 6 months they look more like females (sneakers)
- males after 18 months come back and battle to release sperm killing each other
- sneakers hide and release their sperm and hope it fertilizes
what determines whether a male coho salmon is a sneaker or becomes fully grown?
genetic and environmental components so if too common it is not advantageous
define intersexual selection
when one or both sexes are choosy (interactions between sexes)
types of intersexual selection (3)
- direct benefits
- indirect benefits
- preexisting bias
give an example of when females preferred a male trait that possibly reduces male survival
female choice in frogs where females prefer to mate with males with longer songs than shorter ones
define direct benefits
by mating with males with preferred characteristics females get some direct benefit and thus increase their offspring’s chances of survival (nonheritable)