Week 27

Question 1

Define the term sexual dimorphism, and explain why some animals exhibit sexual dimorphism, while others do not.

Question 2

1.

Name each of the mating systems, and recognize examples of each.

Question 3

Describe how mating system impacts the proportion of males and females that are reproducing in the population

Question 4

Explain how the concept of territories can be applied both to spatial resources, and to mates, and recognize examples of each scenario.

Question 5

Summarize the concept of sexual conflict.

Answer 5

Sexual conflict or sexual antagonism occurs when the two sexes have conflicting optimal fitness strategies concerning reproduction.

A trait or behaviour that is beneficial for the reproductive success of one sex can reduce the fitness of the other sex.

Question 6

Explain monogamy, polygamy and promiscuity

Answer 6

Monogamy: Males and females form stable pair-bonds for a mating season, or in some cases, for their reproductive lives.

Polygamy:
◦ Polygyny: One male has active pair bonds with 2 or more females
◦ Polyandry: One female has active pair bonds with 2 or more males.

Promiscuity: Males and females have no pair bonds
beyond the time it takes to mate.

Question 7

What happens when there is no functional mating system

Answer 7

Gametes are released into the environment at the same time, fertilization is entirely random. No mate choice or mate interaction.

Question 9

Connect the concepts of outcrossing, ‘good genes’, sexual selection, and sexual conflict.

Question 10

Define sexual conflict, and compare it to the evolutionary arms race.

Question 11

Differentiate between intrasexual competition, intersexual competition, and recognize cases where each – or both! – are occurring.