T of L: Courting

Question 1

For dwarf Siberian hamster:
1. Who initiates courtship?
2. How long after birthing does female become receptive and why?
3. What happens to males after mating?

Answer 1

1. Female initiates with secreted scent (gland is under her tail).
2. She’s ready ~3 hours after birthing because of their short life span.
3. Males will mate guard in her burrow after mating.

Question 2

For coral reef fish:
1. How do reef fish deal with crowded conditions of reefs?

Answer 2

1. Colorful markings to mitigate mistaken identity during courtship (ensures time / energy spent on conspecifics).

Question 3

For blue-footed boobies:
1. How do blue-footed boobies deal with crowded conditions of the nesting island?
2. How do males court females?

Answer 3

1. Use bright blue feet to ensure conspecific courtship.
2. Although they don’t build nests, male uses remaining instinct to court by placing nesting material on her feet.

Question 4

For the tragopan (grouse-like bird):
1. How does the male court the female?
2. What is significant about the feathers used?

Answer 4

1. Males court with a spread of fancy feathers on his neck (when the female approaches).
2. His feathers are normally hidden (anti-predator?).

Question 5

For the golden bowerbird:
1. What is the investment to attract the ladies?
2. How is the bower held together, and what is its function?
3. What are the parts of the bower?
4. How is the golden bowerbird different from the satin?

Answer 5

1. A bower (rather than fancy feathers).
2. A sticky fungus holds the bower together making it very strong and resistant to vandalism.
3. Bower, display stick, and decorations (pale greens and whites).
4. Golden is shy and prefers green and white decorations (satin is bold and prefers blue).