BIO220 Lecture Notes: Sexual Selection and Mate Choice

This set of flashcards covers the key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on sexual selection and mate choice, focusing on definitions, theories, and examples discussed in class.

Mate Choice

Any trait (behavior, morphology) of one sex that biases the mating success of the other sex towards the 'preferred' type.

Mating Bias

The tendency of one sex to favor certain traits in the opposite sex during mate selection.

Elaborate Traits

Traits or behaviors that are preferred by mates and thus subject to sexual selection.

Direct Benefits

Benefits that involve direct natural selection on the chooser, resulting in increased offspring production.

Indirect Benefits

Benefits that provide genetic advantages to the offspring of the chooser, leading to higher genetic fitness.

Parental Investment Theory

A theory that suggests the sex investing more in offspring will be more selective in mate choice.

Sexual Dimorphism

Differences in appearance between males and females of the same species, often related to reproductive roles.

Spermatophore

A package of sperm produced by males that is transferred to females during mating.

Choosiness

The tendency of one sex, usually females, to select mates based on certain traits.

Cues of Mate Choice

Signals used by individuals to assess the attractiveness or quality of potential mates.

Acoustic Cues

Sound-based signals used by species, such as frog calls, to attract mates.

Visual Cues

Physical traits or displays that serve as indicators of fitness or suitability in potential mates.

Tactile Cues

Physical touch signals between potential mating partners that can influence mate choice.

Olfactory Cues

Chemical signals detected by smell that can inform mate selection.

Bluegill Sunfish

A species that exhibits various reproductive strategies including parental and satellite males.

Nuptial Gifts

Resources provided by males to females to entice them during mating.

Bateman Curves

Graphs representing the relationship between mating success and reproductive success.

Long-tailed Widowbird

A species that exhibits female preference for males with longer tail lengths.

Complex Calls

Elaborate vocalizations made by males, such as frogs, to attract females.

Female Choice

The process where female members of a species select their mates based on specific traits.

Túngara Frog

A species known for its complex mating calls that are preferred by females.

Satin Bowerbird

A species where males build elaborate structures to attract females.

Environmental Influences on Mate Choice

Factors such as resource availability that can alter mating behaviors and selectivity.

Mating success

The likelihood of an individual successfully mating and reproducing.

Ideal Free Distribution

A model describing how individuals distribute themselves among resources based on availability.

Genetic Quality Indicators

Traits that may signal the genetic fitness of a potential mate, influencing female choice.

Parental Care

Investment from the parent(s) in the rearing of offspring.

Territory Quality

The environment and resources a male can defend, influencing female choice.

Mate Competition

Conflict between individuals of the same sex vying for access to mates.

Resource Provisioning

The provision of resources by one sex to the other during mating or parental care.

Experimental Evidence of Mate Choice

Research studies designed to test predictions about mate selection in various species.

Trade-off in Mate Choice

The balance females must find between direct benefits (care) and indirect benefits (genetic quality).

Natural Selection vs. Sexual Selection

The struggle for survival in the environment vs. the advantage gained in reproductive success.

Indirect Benefits of Mating

Genetic advantages gained by offspring due to the quality of their parents.

Mating Strategies

Different methods or behaviors employed by organisms to secure mates.

Eavesdropping in Mate Selection

When individuals use information from the interactions of others to inform their own mate selection.

Mate Guarding

Behavior exhibited by one mate to keep the other from mating with competitors.

Sexual Selection Mechanisms

Various processes through which certain traits increase in frequency due to mating advantages.

Altered Mate Preferences

Changes in the traits preferred by individuals based on environmental or contextual factors.

Eye-spots in Peacocks

A trait that is a preferred indicator of male quality, affecting female choice.

Fitness of Offspring

The likelihood that the offspring will survive and reproduce.

Copulation Duration

The length of time spent mating, influencing the number of sperm transferred.

Resource Scarcity

A condition that can impact the reproductive strategies and mate choices in species.

Trade-offs in Parental Investment

Benefits and costs associated with different levels of parental care and investment.

Experimental Manipulation

The alteration of traits in a study to observe effects on mate choice and mating success.