Sexual Selection (3) Flashcards
Sexual selection?
= the preference by one sex for certain traits of the other sex which explains the evolution of male secondary sexual traits & female preferences.
Sexual selection in basic terms?
Where there’s a choice made by the opposite sex.
Sexual selection attributes? (4)
• Special case of natural selection.
• Focuses on traits that enhance the ability to attract mates & reproductive success.
• Traits are counteracted by natural selection.
• Works in conjunction with natural selection.
What does sexual selection involve?
Non-random variance in reproduction.
How is SS playing a role in mating systems?
SS forms? (2)
• Intra-SS.
• Inter-SS.
Intra-SS?
= SS/competition that occurs within a sex (mostly males) for fertilization.
Intra-SS types? (2)
• Pre-copulatory (individual fighting).
• Post-copulatory (sperm competition).
Intra-SS: Pre-copulatory?
= individual fighting/Male-Male competition.
When we talk about sperm competition & success what do we mean?
We mean that successful males often have to have better sperm, ie. more sperm, bigger sperm = more mating success.
Inter-SS?
= SS that results from female choice where females mate preferentially with males that have exaggerated traits.
What do we mean by “cryptic female choice”?
That females choose sperm packets that are healthier, favourable & produce healthy offspring.
Pre-copulatory vs Post-copulatory SS regarding consciousness?
● Pre-copulatory = conscious.
● Post-copulatory = unconscious.
Why is Inter-SS: Post-copulatory unconscious?
It is because the female is not really eliminating & picking sperm packets based on her preference but she’s only seeking for those sperm packets with more protein & nutrients.
Why do males compete & females choose?
Bateman’s principle.
Bateman’s principle attributes? (3)
That males often exhibit:
• more variance in reproductive success.
• more variance in mating success.
• Therefore, reproductive success depends on mating success.
What paradigm further explains the Bateman’s principle?
Darwin-Bateman paradigm.
Darwin-Bateman paradigm components in order? (4)
• Anisogamy.
• SS.
• Parental care.
• Sexual dimorphism.
2 concepts that pop up when answering why SS acts stronger on males?
• Sexual dimorphism.
• Parental care.
Anisogamy?
= Gamete variation between sexes.
Basic way to understand what anisogamy means?
Not the same gametes.
From:
• Aniso = not the same.
• Gamy = gametes.
Where is gamete variation seen?
In males & females.
Female gametes attributes? (3)
• Large.
• Few.
• Energetically expensive (well-provisioned).
Male gametes attributes? (3)
• Small.
• Many (millions).
• Energetically cheap.
What are the consequences of anisogamy? (2)
• Sexual dimorphism.
• Parental care.
Sexual dimorphism?
= differences in morphology (sometimes physiology) between males & females of the same species.
Selection criteria for combat in males? (3)
• Large body size.
• Great strength.
• Weaponry.
Ways that males compete? (5)
• Fighting & ritualized contests.
• Food item packets.
• Sperm packets.
• Sneaky fake gifts.
• The Ultimate Sacrifice, themselves.
If you can’t compete, then what?
Be sneaky.
Eg of organism where we question whether a body part is a weapon or ornament?
Narwhals.
Are females choosy?
Absolutely!
Why are females choosy? (3)
• Resource acquisition (direct benefits).
• Genetics (indirect benefits).
• Sexy sons.
What do we mean by resource acquisition?
We mean that the female benefits directly via having food, protection (from harrassment from other males) & shelter.
What do we mean by genetics?
We mean that the female indirectly benefits via all offspring benefiting from the good genes from the potential mate.
Eg of good genes?
Three spine stickleback.
Handicap principle?
= principle that proposes that females prefer males with handicaps/whacky traits because handicaps are indicators of heritable viability & survival.
Eg of animals species that practice Handicap principle?
Springbok.
Sexy sons principle?
= principle where the female focuses on the quality of the male offspring via the father’s traits which are remarkable among males.
Sexy sons primarily focuses on what?
The remarkable traits of the male.
Which types of selection maintain variation? (2)
• Disruptive selection.
• -FDS.
What 2 types of SS relate to evolution/co-evolution?
• Runaway SS.
• Chase-away SS.
How are 3 ways that trait variation is maintained in a population?
- Mutations.
- Quantitative traits.
- Variation in female choice over time.
Eg of inter-SS of Pre-copulatory?
Seen in The Paradise bird.
Eg of inter-SS of Post-copulatory?
In female snakes.
What is Runaway SS?
= sexual selection for traits that don’t contribute to survival of the male organism but increases the reproductive success of the male possessing them.
What is the main message/point that the Bateman’s principle is trying to say?
That the variance in mating success is generally greater among males.