4. The Functions of Communication 2

Question 1

Apart from natural selection, what other kind of selection did Darwin hypothesised which would improve individual’s chances of reproducing?

Answer 1

Sexual selection: Competing successfully for mating oppotunities. It is a major force behind the evolution of courtship displays

Characters that:

• Intra-sexual selection: Aid competition within one sex for access to the other- compete for mates or resource of use to females (male-male competition)
• Inter-sexual selection: Enhance attractiveness of individuals of one sex (usually males) to members of the other

Question 2

Why do males tend to attract the females and not the other way round?

Answer 2

Females are generally more invested in offspring:

• Costly large gametes (eggs)
• Need internal development of young
• Raising the young following birth or hatching
• Only have finite egg production= Limited number of mating opportunities= Females prefer “good quality” males

Question 3

What are the functions of courtship behaviour?

Answer 3

1) Mate attraction
2) Mate choice: Assessment of potential mate’s condition
3) Coordinate reproductive behaviours and physiology between sexes
4) Maintain long term bonds and coordinate provisioning for offspring

Question 4

What do bird songs signify for mate attraction?

Answer 4

Means by which females can compare males
Generally, females prefer males with more complex songs and stamina for lengthy singing bouts as they tend to be healthier males and posses better territories and good genes

Honest signals of male quality= Only fit individuals can maintain the morphology of the behaviours