Mating Systems: Monogamy Flashcards
What are three monagomous species
Prairies Voles
Red backed spiders
Honeybee drones
What are the six reasons for monogamy
Mate guarding hypothesis
Distribution of females in ecosystem
Mate assistance hypothesis
Female enforced monogamy
Density of females
Timing of fertility
What are the two methods of mate guarding
Physically or posthumously
What is the purpose of mate assistance hypothesis (general)
Parental care and protection of offspring
Which species uses female enforced monogamy
Burying beetle
How do burying beetle females enforce monogamy
release pheromones that deter other females from approaching their mate. As the duration of female pheromone emission increases, number of males approached by other females decreases
What is an animal that exhibits mate assistance
California mouse
How does male presence impact the offspring of California mice
Male presence has no effect on number of offspring born, but significantly more offspring emerge from the nest when the male is present
What are the two typical purposes of mate guarding in mammals
Prevent female from partnering with another male
Prevent attackts from infanticidal males
What is additional the role of mate guarding in species that travel with young
Offspring are more vulnerable, so more monogamous pairings are frequently exhibited
How is monogamy exhibited in birds
Most species form male-female pairs for 1+ breeding seasons
What role to males play in bird parenting
Males provide food, help incubate eggs, and defend nest and territory
What is the benefit of male monogamy in birds
Male monogamy/parental care increases success of offspring (more leave nest)
When is male parental care/monogamy only advantageous in birds
When male only aids in the development of HIS genetic offspring
Which bird species is it 100% true that male parental care is only advantageous when caring for HIS genetic offspring, and how does this theory hold with other birds
True for loons and bluejays
Not true for 90% of all bird species
How is it tested whether or not fathering another males offspring is advantageous
Microsatellite analysis
In the blue fairy wren, 1/3 offspring were fathered by a neighbor, but reared by the social partner
What are the four hypotheses for monogamy
Mate limitation hypothesis
Mate guarding hypothesis
Mate assistance hypothesis
Infanticide hypothesis
Mate limitation hypothesis
Monogamy evolves when potential mates dont form groups, roam widely, and are costly to locate
Mate guarding hypothesis
Monogamy evolves when individuals restrict the mating behavior of their partner
Mate assistance hypothesis
Monogamy evolves when resources are so critical to successful reproduction that biparenting is necessary
Infanticide hypothesis
Monogamy evolves when theres high risk of infanticide - partner can provide protection against infanticidal males
What hormones mediate monogamous behavior in voles
Vasopressin and Oxytocin
Describe the density layout of oxytocin receptors (OTR) in prairie voles
Monogamous prairie voles have higher OTR densities in Nucleus Accumbens and Caudate Putamen than nonmonogamous montane voles. Both species have OTR in prefrontal cortex
Describe the density layout of V1aR receptors (vasopressin receptors) in prairie voles
Male prarie voles have higher densities of V1aR in the ventral pallidum than male montane voles