L11 Reproductive behaviour

Question 1

Which sex has greatest reproductive capacity?

Answer 1

Males

Question 2

What is the operational sex ratio:

Answer 2

Ration of sexually active males to fertile females

Question 3

What is Parental investment?

Answer 3

The relative amount of investment into offspring by each sex

Question 4

What do seahorses exhibit?

Answer 4

Sex role reversal, males are the finite resource

Question 5

Which sex is more likely to compete, and why?

Answer 5

Males, because females are often the finite resources, so the females can afford to be choosy

Question 6

Give an example in which the females invest more in parenting, and what does this result in?

Answer 6

Peafowl, male plumage is more elaborate than females

Question 7

Give an example in which the sexes invest similarly in parenting, and what does this result in?

Answer 7

Mute swans, resulting in no sexual dimorphism

Question 8

Give an example in which the males invest more in parenting, and what does this result in?

Answer 8

Jacana, female is bigger, brighter and competes for the males

Question 9

What is intersexual selection?

Answer 9

Selection within sex

Question 10

What is intersexual selection?

Answer 10

Selection between sexes

Question 11

Why may seemingly maladaptive traits be driven by sexual selection?

Answer 11

Because they secure the individuals ability to secure mates, so traits are passed on

Question 12

Describe suicidal sex in marsupial insectivores?

Answer 12

complete male die off via synchronised immune collapse, during this period males try and mate with as many females as possible until they die