WEEK 7: FINDING A MATE

Question 1

explain the root of the problem when it comes to animals trying to find a mate

Answer 1

MALES
350 mill sperm
recovery- mins

FEMALES
1 egg per month
recovery- pregnancy and then raising offspring

Question 2

explain how females have greater choice when it comes to mating

Answer 2

scarcity of females leads to increased value of females to males leads to competition for females leads to females having greater choice.

Question 3

when is monogamy favoured?

Answer 3

input from both needed to raise spring
male has to guard mate yo ensure he is father
low chance of meeting females

Question 4

when is polygyny favoured? (one male many females)

Answer 4

one sex is operationally rare
males can control resources/females
females can exert free choice

Question 5

when is polyandry favoured? (one female many males)

Answer 5

female can escape parental care duties to go off for a bit of fun if you know what i mean ;)
female requires resources provided by >1 male
male biased sex ratio

Question 6

how is polygynandry good for females?

Answer 6

male gains several females, so male is unable to defend female exclusively.
female can now confuse male over paternity which increases paternal care and decreased infanticide.
female now gains access to many males and genetic benefits.

Question 7

when is polygynandry favoured?

Answer 7

when males can monopolise females

females gain from multiple matings