Transcript Mating systems - Mt. SAC Faculty Contact Directory

Mating systems
• Monogamy = pair bond between one male and
one female
• Polygamy = one individual forms pair bonds
with many others
Polygyny = male mates with more than one female
Polyandry = female mates with more than one
male
• Promiscuity = mate with many, no pair bonds
Monogamy
Rare in mammals
Common in Birds
Polygyny – one male with many females
Common in mammals
Polyandry – one female with many males
rare
female
Since females attract mate, they are larger
And more colorful than male Wilson’s phalaropes
Promiscuity – no pair bonds
Lek = common mating area
Prairie Chicken
Male sage grouse
Sexual Selection = choice of one sex by another
Sexual Dimorphism = males and females look differently
•Color- males more brightly colored
•Ornamentation- antlers
•Size (if female larger = reverse sexual dimorphism)
Hamilton-Zuk Hypothesis
More brightly colored males have less parasites (healthier)
Territorial Behavior
Calling
Fighting