Mating Systems Flashcards
Criteria for Classification of Mating Systems
number of mates
manner of mate acquisition
pair bond duration and stability
pattern of parental care
monogamy
1 male, 1 female with a pair bond
Mate Assistance
Faculative Monogamy
Female Enforced Monogamy
polygamy
1 sex with more than 1 of the other sex
polygyny
1 male with multiple females = high competition/sexual dimorphism Territory Defense Female Defense Lek Polygyny Scramble Competition
polyandry
1 female with multiple males
Territory Defense
Male Defense
promiscuity
both sexes have more than one partner and no pair bonds
polygynandry
2 or more males with 2 or more females with bonds
EPP
Environmental Potential for Polygamy
Environmental Potential for Polygamy
how clumped mates are in space and time
- highly clumped females = high polygyny
- operational sex ratio
Territory Defense
Polygyny & Polyandry
opposite sex chooses mate based on resources and territory. territory owner fends off others
Female Defense
Polygyny
males defend females; male moves with females
Lek Polygyny
Polygyny
males congregate in an area and display; females choose
Scramble Competition
Polygyny
no pair bonds, random mating
Lek Formation
Hotshot
Hotspot
Female Preference
Hotshot
1 good male, other males go because the females will be attracted to the hotshot
Hotspot
place where females congregate
Female Preference
females like clumped males for quick evaluation
Evolution of Polyandry
ground nesting, high nest failure rate, small clutches, future female condition, precocial young, double clutching in monogamous bird species
Male Defense
Polyandry
competing for access to males
Mate Assistance
Monogamy
2 parents needed to raise young
(biological)
Faculative Monogamy
Monogamy
when females are rare - mate guarding
(environmental)
Female Enforced Monogamy
Monogamy
female will attack male if with another female
(social)
EPC
Extra-Pair Copulation
Extra-Pair Copulation
Mate with another - “cheating”
Cuckoldry
female strategy - have your young raised by others
High Paternal Care When…
paternity is certain (external fertilization)
territory/association (male is staying, so paternal care increases)
