KA 4: sex and behaviour: reproductive behaviours and mating systems in animals Flashcards
whats the range of mating systems?
polygamy (polygyny and polyandry) to monogamy
what are mating systems based on?
how many mates an individual has during one breeding season
what is monogamy?
the mating of a pair of animals to the exclusion of all others
what is polygamy?
individuals of one sex have more than one mate
what is polygyny?
one male mates exclusively with a group of females
what is polyandry?
one female mates with a number of males in the same breeding season
what do many animals have?
mate-selection courtship rituals
what can successful courtship behaviour in birds and fish be a result of?
species-specific sign stimuli and fixed action pattern responses
what does sexual selection select for?
characteristics that have little survival benefit for the individual, but increase their chances of
mating
what do many species exhibit as a product of sexual selection?
sexual dimorphism
females are generally….
inconspicuous
males usually have more…
conspicuous markings, structures and behaviours
what occurs in some species?
reversed sexual dimorphism
what does female choice involve?
females assessing honest signals of the fitness of males
what can honest signals indicate?
-favourable alleles that increase the chances of survival of offspring (fitness)
-low parasite burden suggesting a healthy individual
in lekking species, what happens regarding male displays and female choice?
males gather to display a lek, where female choice occurs
describe how some birds exhibit lekking behaviour
dominant males occupy the centre of the lek, with subordinates and juveniles at the fringes as “satllite” males. During the display, female choice occurs
what increases access to females for mating?
success in male-male rivalry through conflict (real or ritualised)
how will males fight for dominance and access to females?
using elaborate “weapons” such as antlers, tusks, horns
