Topic 8: Life History

Question 1

What is asexual reproduction?

Answer 1

asexual reproduction produces genetically identical offspring that are all well adapted to the LOCAL environment.

Question 2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction?

Answer 2

advantage: reduced time spent to find a suitable partner allowing for rapid reproductions.

disadvantage: leads to reduced genetic diversity causing a uniform response to a change in the environment.

Question 3

What is sexual reproduction?

Answer 3

each offspring is genetically unique allowing for a diversity of responses to changes in the environment.

Question 4

What is monogamy?

Answer 4

Monogamy is where a pair bond forms between a male and a female.

Question 5

What is an advantage to monogamy?

Answer 5

both the male and female can provide food, warmth, and protection for offspring.
male and female fitness is increased by having both caring for the young.

Question 6

What is polygamy? In extension, define polygyny, and polyandry.

Answer 6

polygamy is the acquisition by an individual of two or more mates.

polygyny is the 1 male with multiple females.

polyandry is 1 female with multiple males.

Question 7

What is sexual dimorphism?

Answer 7

males and females differ in appearance.

Question 8

What is promiscuity?

Answer 8

promiscuity is where males and females mate with many of the opposite and form NO pair bonds.

Question 9

What kind of environments do we see promiscuity in?

Answer 9

environments that are tough/unstable favour promiscuity.

Question 10

Define intrasexual selection and what it causes.

Answer 10

involves males to male competition for the opportunity to mate. causes exaggerated secondary sexual characters such as large size, aggressiveness.

Question 11

Define intersexual selection.

Answer 11

Intersexual selection involves the differential attractive of individuals of one sex to another.

Question 12

What is semelparity, and what does the prefix semel mean?

Answer 12

semel meaning “once for all”. so once for all reproduction
invest energy into growth, development, and storage followed by one large reproductive effort.

Question 13

What is iteroparity, and what does the prefix itero mean?

Answer 13

itero meaning “again” or “repeat”. so repeat reproduction.
reproduce over the life of the organism in repeating cycles.

Question 14

Where would we find a large number of smaller offspring? Where would we find fewer numbers of larger offspring?

Answer 14

smaller: typically found in disturbed sites, unpredictable environments and places where care is difficult.
larger: in much more stable environments so parents can invest energy into offspring.

Question 15

What does r and K refer to?

Answer 15

r and K refer to components of the logistic population growth model.

Question 16

What is meant by r strategists?

Answer 16

• short lived with high reproductive rates.
• rapid development and generally a small body size.
• have a large number of offspring but low survival and minimal parental care.
• Well adapted for dispersal and colonization and respond well to disturbance.

Question 17

What is meant by K strategists?

Answer 17

• in stable long lived populations that are near the carrying capacity.
• cope with biotic and abiotic pressures/stresses well and are efficient users of resources.
• K specialized species are poor colonizers with restricted slow dispersal.