QUiz on mating systems

Question 1

Monogamy:

Answer 1

a mating system in which both females and males have only one mate during one breeding season.

Question 2

what is social monogamy?

Answer 2

when the male and female don’t mate with other individuals and go through life and raise offspring together

Question 3

In what ways might monogamy be mutually beneficial? Provide examples.

Answer 3

Pairing can help in the maintenance of territories.

Question 4

Polygyny: only this can be predicted by the trevor model

Answer 4

a mating system in which a male fertilizes the eggs of more than one partner during one breeding season.

Question 5

Polyandry:

Answer 5

a mating system in which a females eggs are fertilized by more than one male during one breeding season.

Question 6

Under what circumstances can you be monogamous

Answer 6

If you only mate once, you are certainly monogamous.

If you are monogamous you may mate many times, but with the same partner.

Question 7

Extra-pair copulations:

Answer 7

mating with an individual other than your social partner

Question 8

Some examples of when monogamy might occur….

Answer 8

…starting with, when sex is lethal!

If it kills you, you can only do it once!

Question 9

spermatophore

Answer 9

contains a gift of nutrients in addition to sperm

Question 10

Nuptial gift:

Answer 10

a gift, usually of food, in exchange for mating.

Question 11

What is the take-home message of the figure about duration of mating?

Answer 11

The size of the gift causes a longer duration of mating. However, after the gift reaches a certain size, sex stays around 20-25 min. This may be because…
- if you’ve used all the sperm you have on a female, there’s no reason to stick around
- he can mate with her as long as she is eating

Question 12

Sexual Suicide

Answer 12

offering oneself as the nuptial gift.

Question 13

Is sexual suicide ever adaptive? Explain.

Answer 13

Yes if…
- If it increases the likelihood of fertilization.

• If the chances of reproducing again are very low.

Question 14

Mate guarding:

Answer 14

when one partner stays with its mate to prevent mating with others.
An example might be: The likelihood that male spiders of some species will ever find a female is so low, that they just break off their penises into the female to prevent her from mating with a different male.

Question 15

What assumption of the Trivers model does this violate? about the clown shrimp

Answer 15

ask sarah

Question 16

Reproductive cycles are synchronized in male and female seahorses. How might this affect assumptions of the Trivers model?

Answer 16

They are willing to mate at the same time

Question 17

What is the mean number of young model about?

Answer 17

An equal amount of young are born with a male or without a male. However, as seen in the graph, it is important for a male to be present when they young emerge from the nest. They can be of assistance by cleaning the nest, getting food, or taking care of the mother.

Question 18

Polyandry: What is the take-home message of the figure regarding female immune systems?

Answer 18

The greater amount of mates, the better the immune system because females are exposed to bacteria and diseases from mating often, which is why their immune system would be stronger

Question 19

Why don’t we talk about health costs of promiscuity in males?

Answer 19

Because of male stereotypes. It is a bias that goes into studies.

Question 20

What is the difference between female and male guarding?

Answer 20

When males maintain the monogamous condition, it is called mate guarding.

When females maintain the monogamous condition, it is called female-enforced monogamy.

Question 21

Why might females mate with more than one male?

Answer 21

• Direct/Material benefits
• Indirect benefits

Question 22

Direct/Material benefits:

Answer 22

Access to territory

Question 23

Material/Direct Benefits of
polyandry:

Answer 23

More resources

More care

Better protection: males will add chemicals to their sperm so the female not only has her egg protection, shell have his as well

Question 24

Reproductive output:

Answer 24

Mass of eggs/mass of females