Mating Systems Flashcards
monogamy vs polyandry vs polygyny
monogamy - exclusive relationship
serial = switch partners after breeding season
lifetime = same for life
polyandry - one female has a relationship with two or more males
polygyny - one male has a relationship with two or more females
promiscuity
no pair bonds
social monogamy is ____
genetic monogamy is ____
social - common
genetic - rare
females are _______ to monogamy while males must be ______
females are pre adapted while males must be compelled
mate assistance hypothesis (monogamy)
male stays with a single female because their help increases the survival of the offspring (offspring need high care)
- worth it to stay rather than find other mates
mate guarding hypothesis (monogamy)
a male stays with one female to prevent other males from mating with her, increasing chance he fathers all offspring
female enforced monogamy
the female prevents males from mating with other females
- secures resources/ care from male
indirect vs direct benefits of polygamy for females
indirect (genetic)
- good genes
- fertility insurance
direct (material)
- better protection
- more resources
- more care for young
female defense polygyny
males compete for and defend groups of females directly
~ wants to monopolize access to them
resource defense polygyny
male defends a resource that females need and mates with females who come to use it
- better resource attracts more females
polygyny should be more common in _____ environments
patchy enviros
scramble competition polygyny
when females are not common males forgo territoriality to find females before other males
lek polygyny
males only defend display areas (leks)
- do not contain resources
- best male display gets attention
how do males defend Leks (3)
- hotspot hypothesis
- leks form where females are likely to be - hotshot hypothesis
- less attractive males gather near attractive ones to hopefully be noticed - female preference hypothesis
- females prefer leks as easy to compare a bunch of males
