Module 10: Sexual Selection
Courtship refers to the display of special behavioral patterns by the males and females to attract mating partners. Male courtship is highly seen in nature, where the males display a wide range of skills or patterns and attract the females for reproduction. Species of birds exhibit male display behavior, species of drosophila also invest energy in the male display. Female courtship is rarely seen in nature as they invest a lot of their energy in other tasks like producing their energy-expensive gametes and taking care of the progeny. But there are instances where female display becomes necessary like when the competing males are in short supply in the population. Hence, female courtship evolves. The female species of pipefish displays a temporary striped pattern ornament to attract males and also to intimidate other competing females.
Hi! I liked your explanation of female courtship evolving when there is a short supply of competing male. It makes sense as to why they would have to evolve bright physical features to catch the males attention.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, a low population of males will drive a female to court males. I read its because females didn't want to waste the eggs they produce. I thought this was interesting because females have no standards for which male they choose. So if they are choosing a weak male, I think their eggs would be wasted anyway.
ReplyDeleteHi! I never even thought about that there may be a low population of males so I found this interesting? Do you think the females might also be the ones showing off due to the fact that males carry the offspring and the roles are reversed?
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Ashlynn mentioned. I was just thinking the same. I had never considered a shortage in males to be a reason for female courtship. Interesting. Did you know that pipefish and seahorses are in the same biological family? Males in both populations are the ones that give birth. Cool, huh?
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