Primate mating systems 3 Flashcards
Mating Systems are:
Finding mates and care for offspring
Increase Mate quality (female)
Provide good genes
Access to good territory (food)
Offspring Care
Increase Mate quantity (female)
Reduce a male from killing offspring
Increase probability of fertilization
What can females gain by investing in parenting
effort?
increase offspring growth rates,
stronger immune function,
warmth, security,
social support
What can males gain from parenting effort
Enhance Safety (Protection male/offspring)
Providing food for mate/offspring
Providing direct care for infants
Mate quality (male)
good genes/ good care for offspring
mate quantity (male)
multiple conceptions
Females invest heavily in:
offspring/maternal care
Gestation
long pregnancies
Brain growth is expensive
Lactation
Long infant periods (very few offspring)
What are the trade-offs in weaning?
Infant becoming independent
Nursing is reduced
Energy available for the mother have another baby
Do babies want to be weened off?
No they do not!
Reproductive success is more variable in
Males not really females
Non-random mating
caused by:
SEXUAL SELECTION
Intra-sexual selection:
competition for access to other sex (male to male)
Inter-sexual selection:
