Animal Mating Behavior

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Questions and Answers

Why do female dunnocks mate with multiple males?

To increase the genetic quality of their offspring

To reduce the risk of infanticide (correct)

To lay multiple clutches of eggs

To select a single high-quality male partner

What is the term for the phenomenon where a female mates with multiple males?

Polyandry (correct)

Inbreeding

Polygyny

Monogamy

What is the Reduced Infanticide Hypothesis?

The idea that multiple mating is a result of inbreeding avoidance

The idea that multiple mating improves offspring quality

The idea that multiple mating increases genetic diversity

The idea that multiple mating reduces infanticide risk (correct)

What is the Genetic Compatibility Hypothesis?

The idea that multiple mating increases the odds of receiving genetically complementary sperm Signup and view all the answers

Why do some males ignore a female's baby?

Because they did not mate with the mother Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of the Good Genes Hypothesis?

Improved offspring quality Signup and view all the answers

What do females select for when choosing a mate in the context of evolutionary biology?

Genetic indicators of survival and reproductive success Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of polyandry in the Yellow-toothed cavy?

Reduced stillbirths and infant mortality Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of extra-pair mating in Dark-eyed Juncos?

Increased offspring survival Signup and view all the answers

Why are sons of extra-pair mates in Dark-eyed Juncos more successful?

They inherit their father's attractiveness to females Signup and view all the answers

What is the proposed explanation for why females engage in polyandry?

To increase the chances of receiving genetically complementary sperm Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome for daughters of extra-pair mates in Dark-eyed Juncos?

They have higher fecundity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why female pseudoscorpions prefer to mate with new males?

To increase the heterozygosity of their offspring Signup and view all the answers

What happens when gametes with especially compatible genotypes unite?

They result in highly viable progeny Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome when females were given the opportunity to mate with the same male again 90 minutes after an initial copulation?

They refused to accept his spermatophore in 85 percent of the trials Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of heterozygotes over homozygotes?

They are less likely to carry recessive alleles that might cause defects Signup and view all the answers

What is the Genetic Diversity Hypothesis?

Females benefit by increasing the heterozygosity of their offspring Signup and view all the answers

What was the correlation between the number of surviving offspring produced by females with different males and the number produced by females paired with a single male?

There was no correlation Signup and view all the answers

What might a greater diversity of individuals within a colony allow members to withstand?

A disease outbreak Signup and view all the answers

In the Bluethroat study, what was observed about the offspring of extra-pair mates compared to those sired by social partners?

They were more heterozygous Signup and view all the answers

How was the immune function of nestlings tested in the Bluethroat study?

By measuring the swelling at the injection site of a foreign substance Signup and view all the answers

According to the Inbreeding Avoidance Hypothesis, why do females choose extra-pair mates?

To avoid inbreeding and produce more heterozygous offspring Signup and view all the answers

In Red-backed fairy-wrens, what was observed about females paired to genetically similar males?

They were more likely to engage in extra-pair fertilizations Signup and view all the answers

What was observed about the offspring of incestuous pairs in the Purple-crowned fairy-wren study?

They were more likely to result in extra-pair offspring Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why females in some species form groups?

For protection against predators and infanticidal males Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of Resource Defense Polygyny Hypothesis?

Males controlling access to resources that females visit Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the behavior of Grevy's zebra females in arid regions?

They wander in search of water and grass Signup and view all the answers

Why do males set up territories near water sources in Grevy's zebra populations?

Because receptive females spend most of their time there Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a lek in Lek Polygyny Hypothesis?

A display arena for males to compete for mates Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of females in Lek Polygyny Hypothesis?

They receive sperm from males and then depart to rear the offspring alone Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Female Defense Against Predators

In some species, females form groups for protection against predators, attracting males who compete for the group.
In male lions, males fight over prides of females, defending against infanticidal males.

Resource Defense Polygyny

In some species, males control access to resources that females visit, allowing them to become polygynous.
Grevy's zebras: males set up territories near water, attracting receptive females.

Lek Polygyny

Males fight to control a small display area (lek) where females choose a mate.
Females mate with multiple males, receive sperm, and depart to rear offspring alone.

Reduced Infanticide Hypothesis

By mating with multiple males, a female may encourage them to leave her newborn alone.
Hanuman langurs: males ignore a female's baby if they have mated with her prior to birth.

Polyandry

One female mates with multiple males, increasing genetic diversity and lowering infanticide risk.
Examples: Grey Foam Nest Treefrog, Yellow-toothed cavy, Dark-eyed Junco.

Good Genes Hypothesis

Females choose mates with honest indicators of high genetic quality, increasing offspring survival and reproductive success.

Genetic Compatibility Hypothesis

Females increase the odds of receiving genetically complementary sperm by mating with multiple males.
Example: Pseudoscorpions: females prefer new males over previous partners to increase genetic compatibility.

Genetic Diversity Hypothesis

Females benefit from increasing heterozygosity in offspring, increasing their survival and reproductive success.
Examples: Bluethroat, Purple-crowned fairy-wrens.

Inbreeding Avoidance Hypothesis

Females choose extra-pair mates to avoid inbreeding, which produces less heterozygous offspring.
Examples: Red-backed fairy-wrens, Purple-crowned fairy-wrens.

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Description

This quiz covers the mating behaviors of certain animal species, including dunnocks and hanuman langurs. Learn about their unique reproductive strategies and how they raise their young. Test your knowledge of animal mating habits!