Mating Systems Flashcards
*What is a mating system?
the social associations and number of sexual partners an individual has during one breeding season
*Define/categorize the various types of mating
systems (monogamous, polygamous, polygynous, polyandrous, promiscuous,
polygynandrous)
Monogamous = getting gametes from only one source
Polygamous = getting gametes from multiple sources
Polygynous = where one male can have more than one female, but a female can only mate with one male
Polyandrous = where one female can have more than one male partner, but a male can only mate with one female
Promiscuous = where both sexes mate with multiple members of the other sex
Polygynandrous = where both sexes mate with multiple members of the other sex, but involves social associations found between multiple males and females
What is the Emlen-Oring model of mating systems? What factors determine the type of
mating system? Which combinations lead to which mating systems?
Under what general conditions would polygyny be favored?
What are the different types
of polygyny, and when (in what kinds of species/situations) would we predict to find
each?
*What is a lek? Why do they form? Where do they form?
- Males gather at a common display site (lek) that females visit to choose a mate
- occurs when reproductive females can’t be monopolized
- 1) could form around the most attractive male
2) could form where females are (near food/water/other resources)
What are the costs/benefits to males of being in a polygynous mating system? What are
the costs/benefits to females? Under what circumstances should females opt to be in a
polygynous rather than a monogamous pair?
*What is polyandry? Why is it rare? When would we expect to find it?
- Polyandry = evolves when males invest more than the females
- primarily seen in sex-role reversed species
What is promiscuity? Polygynandry? What’s the difference? When would we expect to find each?
What are the costs/benefits to males of being in a monogamous mating system? What are the costs/benefits to females?
Under what circumstances should males opt to invest a
monogamous pair rather than seek additional mating opportunities (i.e. be polygynous)?
*What’s the difference between social and genetic monogamy? Is it possible to have one
without the other?
- social monogamy = caring for offspring together, protecting territory together, etc.
- genetic monogamy = part of a social monogamy but may be mating with other individuals outside of the pair bond - also known as “extra-pair mating”
What are extra-pair copulations? Why might males engage in them? Why might females
engage in them? What effect would they likely have on the variance in male reproductive success / sexual selection in a population?
