Topic 4—C: Diversity and Classification- 2. Classification using courtship behaviour

Question 1

what is courtship behaviour?

Answer 1

carried out by organisms to attract a mate of the right species

Question 2

simple courtship behaviours

Answer 2

• releasing a chemical
• using sound
• visual displays

Question 3

complex courtship behaviours

Answer 3

• dancing
• building

Question 4

how can you use courtship behaviour to classify species?

Answer 4

• courtship behaviour is species specific
• only members of the same species will do and respond to that courtship behaviour
• the more closely related species are the more similar their courtship behaviour

Question 5

how can courtship behaviour increase the probability of successful mating?

Answer 5

• indicating sexual maturity
• stimulating production of gametes

Question 6

how can different species be distinguished?

Answer 6

they won’t produce fertile offspring as they won’t interbreed

Question 7

examples of courtship behaviour

Answer 7

• fireflies give off impulses of light- pattern of flashes is specific to each species
• male peacocks show off their colourful tails - tail pattern is only found in peacocks
• male butterflies use chemicals to attract females so only those of the correct species respond