Topic 4 - Courtship Behaviour [8] Flashcards
Successful reproduction
Male and female can mate and produce fertile offspring
If a courtship sequence is similar between different species, what dos this mean?
It means they are closely related
the more similar a courtship sequence is between diff species, the more closely related a species are.
Importance of Courtship
Ensure successful reproduction:
Ritual Indicates male and female are sexually mature (male dance female observes if mature)
lets them recognize their own species and opposite sex.
Ensure survival of the offspring:
form a pair bond (bond is good so they look after the kid together)
choose a strong healthy mate
Courtship RItuals
Sequence of actions which is unique to species. this is how animals identify members of their own species to reproduce with.
Most rituals performed by males.
Dance moves, sounds, pheromone release, displaying feathers.
Females observe the ritual and decide if they want to mate.
They may have limited eggs/ short fertile time so they want the best mate
If a courtship sequence is similar between different species, what dos this mean?
It means they are closely related
the more similar a courtship sequence is between diff species, the more closely related a species are.
This is because courtship sequences are GENETICALLY DETERMIED.