Question 1

Describe two direct benefits and one indirect benefit that females can gain by being choosy about their mate.

Accepted Answer

Direct benefits: females can gain parental care; access to resources or food (such as nuptial gifts); and protection from males. Indirect benefits: females can gain good genes for her offspring that increase their quality or viability; and traits for her sons that make them sexually attractive and have high reproductive success, and preferences for her daughters that make them prefer these appealing males.

Question 2

Persons studying male bluegill (a type of fish) reproductive behavior have discovered three different methods of male reproduction: territoriality, sneaking, and satellite behavior. We hypothesize that these long-standing differences are hereditary. Which of the following predictions would follow from this hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sneaking males should have sneaking sons. 
B)  The reproductive success of the three types must be different. 
C)  The environment should have no effect on the development of sneaking behavior. 
D)  The presence of satellite males should lower the fitness of those females whose eggs they fertilize. 
A)  Sneaking males should have sneaking sons. 
B)  The reproductive success of the three types must be different. 
C)  The environment should have no effect on the development of sneaking behavior. 
D)  The presence of satellite males should lower the fitness of those females whose eggs they fertilize. A

Question 3

Refer to the figure.
  Which model of sexual selection does this data support?

Accepted Answer

A)  Direct benefits. 
B)  The good genes model of sexual selection. 
C)  The runaway selection model of sexual selection. 
D)  The chase-away selection model of sexual selection. 
A)  Direct benefits. 
B)  The good genes model of sexual selection. 
C)  The runaway selection model of sexual selection. 
D)  The chase-away selection model of sexual selection. B

Question 4

Males of the marine isopod Paracerceis sculpta come in three sizes: large alphas, medium betas, and small gammas. When the average fitness of each type was measured, researchers found that there were no statistically significant differences among the three types. The lack of a fitness difference between the three male phenotypes suggests that the behavioral differences among them are hereditary because

Accepted Answer

A)  all phenotypes are 50 percent genetic and 50 percent environmental. 
B)  the three phenotypes are three adaptations maintained because of their equal fitness effects. 
C)  the three phenotypes appear to be three tactics controlled by a single conditional strategy. 
D)  the three phenotypes have to be hereditary if they are to help the species improve over time. 
A)  all phenotypes are 50 percent genetic and 50 percent environmental. 
B)  the three phenotypes are three adaptations maintained because of their equal fitness effects. 
C)  the three phenotypes appear to be three tactics controlled by a single conditional strategy. 
D)  the three phenotypes have to be hereditary if they are to help the species improve over time.

Question 5

Refer to the figure.
  The graph on the right illustrates the concept of

Accepted Answer

A)  parental investment. 
B)  sexual dimorphism. 
C)  anisogamy. 
D)  reproductive skew. 
A)  parental investment. 
B)  sexual dimorphism. 
C)  anisogamy. 
D)  reproductive skew.

Question 6

Refer to the figure.
  Based on these results, sexual selection pressure is likely higher on which sex?

Accepted Answer

A)  Females 
B)  Males 
C)  Males and females are the same 
D)  Cannot be determined from the data 
A)  Females 
B)  Males 
C)  Males and females are the same 
D)  Cannot be determined from the data

Question 7

Male fifteen-spined sticklebacks that shake their body frequently when courting also provide more nest fanning of their eggs, and are preferred by females. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  direct benefits. 
B)  the good genes model of sexual selection. 
C)  the runaway selection model of sexual selection. 
D)  the chase-away selection model of sexual selection. 
A)  direct benefits. 
B)  the good genes model of sexual selection. 
C)  the runaway selection model of sexual selection. 
D)  the chase-away selection model of sexual selection.

Question 8

Describe two ways that males compete with each other for females after they have already mated.

Accepted Answer

Males engage in postcopulatory sexual se

Question 9

Male satin bowerbirds that build well-constructed bowers also perform better on cognitive tests, and have higher mating success. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  direct benefits. 
B)  the good genes model of sexual selection. 
C)  the runaway selection model of sexual selection. 
D)  the chase-away selection model of sexual selection. 
A)  direct benefits. 
B)  the good genes model of sexual selection. 
C)  the runaway selection model of sexual selection. 
D)  the chase-away selection model of sexual selection.

Question 10

Why are females more likely to care for young than males in a non-sex role reversed species?

Accepted Answer

A)  Male paternity is less certain than female paternity, and males gain more by mating with multiple partners. 
B)  Female reproductive success depends on maximizing both the number of mates and the number of offspring produced. 
C)  Females enhance their fitness more by investing in current offspring, while males enhance their fitness more by investing in future offspring. 
D)  Reproductive competition is highest in females, leading to stronger sexual selection for greater investment in parental care. 
A)  Male paternity is less certain than female paternity, and males gain more by mating with multiple partners. 
B)  Female reproductive success depends on maximizing both the number of mates and the number of offspring produced. 
C)  Females enhance their fitness more by investing in current offspring, while males enhance their fitness more by investing in future offspring. 
D)  Reproductive competition is highest in females, leading to stronger sexual selection for greater investment in parental care.

Question 11

Female widowbirds that prefer to mate with long-tailed males produce long-tailed sons and daughters that also prefer males with long tails. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  direct benefits. 
B)  the good genes model of sexual selection. 
C)  the runaway selection model of sexual selection. 
D)  the chase-away selection model of sexual selection. 
A)  direct benefits. 
B)  the good genes model of sexual selection. 
C)  the runaway selection model of sexual selection. 
D)  the chase-away selection model of sexual selection.

Question 12

Refer to the figure.
  These results show that

Accepted Answer

A)  species with male-biased operational sex ratios are more common. 
B)  female-biased operational sex ratios are more likely to occur in warmer environments. 
C)  the operational sex ratio shifts from male-biased to female-biased over the season. 
D)  there is higher mating success in males in the beginning of the season compared to the end of the season. 
A)  species with male-biased operational sex ratios are more common. 
B)  female-biased operational sex ratios are more likely to occur in warmer environments. 
C)  the operational sex ratio shifts from male-biased to female-biased over the season. 
D)  there is higher mating success in males in the beginning of the season compared to the end of the season.

Question 13

In a species with sex role reversal, males contribute more parental investment than females. In this species, you could also predict that

Accepted Answer

A)  there will be more sexually active males than females. 
B)  there will be equal reproductive variance in males and females. 
C)  females are more likely to be larger and have ornaments to compete for mates. 
D)  sexual selection will be weaker than natural selection. 
A)  there will be more sexually active males than females. 
B)  there will be equal reproductive variance in males and females. 
C)  females are more likely to be larger and have ornaments to compete for mates. 
D)  sexual selection will be weaker than natural selection.

Question 14

Sexual selection

Accepted Answer

A)  explains the evolution of ornaments and armaments in males, but not in females in species with sex role reversal. 
B)  can only act on traits not under natural selection. 
C)  can lead to the evolution of elaborate traits if they help one sex gain an advantage in mating, even if they also lead to lower survival. 
D)  is similar to natural selection in that it acts on traits that increase an individual's relative reproductive success and survival. 
A)  explains the evolution of ornaments and armaments in males, but not in females in species with sex role reversal. 
B)  can only act on traits not under natural selection. 
C)  can lead to the evolution of elaborate traits if they help one sex gain an advantage in mating, even if they also lead to lower survival. 
D)  is similar to natural selection in that it acts on traits that increase an individual's relative reproductive success and survival.

Question 15

Refer to the figure.
  These findings illustrate

Accepted Answer

A)  Bateman's principle, where males have higher reproductive variance than females due to sex differences in mating behavior. 
B)  that sex roles can be dynamic and shift over the course of a single breeding season. 
C)  female parental investment impacts the operational sex ratio during the breeding season. 
D)  that sex role reversal is more likely to occur in species in predictable environments. 
A)  Bateman's principle, where males have higher reproductive variance than females due to sex differences in mating behavior. 
B)  that sex roles can be dynamic and shift over the course of a single breeding season. 
C)  female parental investment impacts the operational sex ratio during the breeding season. 
D)  that sex role reversal is more likely to occur in species in predictable environments.

Question 16

Refer to the figure.
  Based on these results, which sex has greater reproductive variance?

Accepted Answer

A)  Females 
B)  Males 
C)  Males and females are the same 
D)  Cannot be determined from the data 
A)  Females 
B)  Males 
C)  Males and females are the same 
D)  Cannot be determined from the data

Question 17

Refer to the figure.
  Marion Petrie derived a number of predictions regarding the role of a male peacock's eyespots. Which prediction does this data most directly support?

Accepted Answer

A)  Males should differ genetically in ways related to their survival chances. 
B)  Male behavior and ornamentation should provide accurate information on the survival value of the males' genes. 
C)  Females should use this information to select mates. 
D)  The offspring of the chosen males should benefit from their mother's mate choice. 
A)  Males should differ genetically in ways related to their survival chances. 
B)  Male behavior and ornamentation should provide accurate information on the survival value of the males' genes. 
C)  Females should use this information to select mates. 
D)  The offspring of the chosen males should benefit from their mother's mate choice.

Question 18

Female chicks eject a larger proportion of semen from low-ranking males than from high-ranking males. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  male-male competition. 
B)  cryptic female choice. 
C)  male parental investment. 
D)  runaway model of sexual selection. 
A)  male-male competition. 
B)  cryptic female choice. 
C)  male parental investment. 
D)  runaway model of sexual selection.

Question 19

If we hypothesize that the behavioral differences among bluegill (a type of fish) males are the product of a conditional strategy, which of the following predictions would follow from this hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Territorial males should have territorial sons. 
B)  The reproductive success of the three types could be different. 
C)  The environment should have no effect on the development of satellite behavior. 
D)  The presence of satellites should increase the fitness of those females whose eggs they fertilize. 
A)  Territorial males should have territorial sons. 
B)  The reproductive success of the three types could be different. 
C)  The environment should have no effect on the development of satellite behavior. 
D)  The presence of satellites should increase the fitness of those females whose eggs they fertilize.

Question 20

Males of the marine isopod Paracerceis sculpta come in three sizes: large alphas, medium betas, and small gammas. When the average fitness of each type was measured, researchers found that there were no statistically significant differences among the three types. This suggests that these three male sizes are an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  a conditional mating tactic. 
B)  an alternating mating strategy. 
C)  intersexual selection. 
D)  cryptic female choice. 
A)  a conditional mating tactic. 
B)  an alternating mating strategy. 
C)  intersexual selection. 
D)  cryptic female choice.

Describe two direct benefits and one indirect benefit that females can gain by being choosy about their mate.

Refer to the figure. Which model of sexual selection does this data support?

Refer to the figure. The graph on the right illustrates the concept of

Refer to the figure. Based on these results, sexual selection pressure is likely higher on which sex?

Male fifteen-spined sticklebacks that shake their body frequently when courting also provide more nest fanning of their eggs, and are preferred by females. This is an example of

Describe two ways that males compete with each other for females after they have already mated.

Male satin bowerbirds that build well-constructed bowers also perform better on cognitive tests, and have higher mating success. This is an example of

Why are females more likely to care for young than males in a non-sex role reversed species?

Female widowbirds that prefer to mate with long-tailed males produce long-tailed sons and daughters that also prefer males with long tails. This is an example of

Refer to the figure. These results show that

In a species with sex role reversal, males contribute more parental investment than females. In this species, you could also predict that

Sexual selection

Refer to the figure. These findings illustrate

Refer to the figure. Based on these results, which sex has greater reproductive variance?

Refer to the figure. Marion Petrie derived a number of predictions regarding the role of a male peacock's eyespots. Which prediction does this data most directly support?

Female chicks eject a larger proportion of semen from low-ranking males than from high-ranking males. This is an example of

If we hypothesize that the behavioral differences among bluegill (a type of fish) males are the product of a conditional strategy, which of the following predictions would follow from this hypothesis?

An Introduction to Animal Behavior

The Integrative Study of Behavior

The Developmental and Molecular Bases of Behavior

The Neural Basis of Behavior

The Physiological and Endocrine Basis of Behavior

Avoiding Predators and Finding Food

Territoriality and Movement

Principles of Communication

Mating Systems

Parental Care

Principles of Social Evolution

Social Behavior and Sociality

Human Behavior

Filters

Exam 9: Reproductive Behavior

Describe two direct benefits and one indirect benefit that females can gain by being choosy about their mate.

Refer to the figure. Which model of sexual selection does this data support?

Refer to the figure. The graph on the right illustrates the concept of

Refer to the figure. Based on these results, sexual selection pressure is likely higher on which sex?

Male fifteen-spined sticklebacks that shake their body frequently when courting also provide more nest fanning of their eggs, and are preferred by females. This is an example of

Describe two ways that males compete with each other for females after they have already mated.

Male satin bowerbirds that build well-constructed bowers also perform better on cognitive tests, and have higher mating success. This is an example of

Why are females more likely to care for young than males in a non-sex role reversed species?

Female widowbirds that prefer to mate with long-tailed males produce long-tailed sons and daughters that also prefer males with long tails. This is an example of

Refer to the figure. These results show that

In a species with sex role reversal, males contribute more parental investment than females. In this species, you could also predict that

Sexual selection

Refer to the figure. These findings illustrate

Refer to the figure. Based on these results, which sex has greater reproductive variance?

Refer to the figure. Marion Petrie derived a number of predictions regarding the role of a male peacock's eyespots. Which prediction does this data most directly support?

Female chicks eject a larger proportion of semen from low-ranking males than from high-ranking males. This is an example of

If we hypothesize that the behavioral differences among bluegill (a type of fish) males are the product of a conditional strategy, which of the following predictions would follow from this hypothesis?

An Introduction to Animal Behavior

The Integrative Study of Behavior

The Developmental and Molecular Bases of Behavior

The Neural Basis of Behavior

The Physiological and Endocrine Basis of Behavior

Avoiding Predators and Finding Food

Territoriality and Movement

Principles of Communication

Mating Systems

Parental Care

Principles of Social Evolution

Social Behavior and Sociality

Human Behavior

Filters