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Reproductive strategies for survival. Chapter 12. Reproductive adaptations. Refers to any strategy that aims to increase the chance of successful reproduction and the survival of the offspring. Sex at sea.
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Reproductive strategies for survival Chapter 12
Reproductive adaptations • Refers to any strategy that aims to increase the chance of successful reproduction and the survival of the offspring.
Sex at sea • Broadcast spawning refers to organisms releasing their eggs and sperm into the water (where there is a strong current) • Mass spawning refers to a large group of the one organism gathering together in one location to simultaneously release eggs and sperm • Pelagic eggs are eggs that can float within the water column • Demersal eggs do not float and are often ‘nested’ (in sand, the surface of a rock)
Mating systems • Monogamy • Where one male mates with one female for one or more breeding seasons (or for life) • Seen in species where the survival of the young depends on the care given by both parents (think of the penguins!) • Examples of this care include: defending a nest, incubating eggs, feeding offspring • Polygamy • Where one male or female has multiple mating partners during a breeding season • Polygyny: male that has multiple female partners • Polyandry: female that has multiple male partners
Polygyny: one male, many females • Two kinds: harem and serial • Harem refers to a dominant male living with a group of females • Serial refers to one male attracting passing females • Serial polygyny often requires the male to have ‘advertising’ features. Ie visual or vocal signals • Lekking occurs when males gather in one area a perform a display (visual/vocal) to attract passing females
Offspring: how many? How often? • r-selection: ‘quick & many’ • K-selection ‘slower & fewer’ • r-selection is typical of species • That mature quickly • Produce large numbers of offspring • Don’t put much parent care into offspring • The strategy means more offspring are produced but there is a higher mortality rate
K-selection is typical of species: • Mature slowly • Require parental care • Breed later
Eggs or liveborn young? • Oviparity- ‘egg bearing’ Young develop outside mother • Viviparity- ‘living bearing’ young are born live
Questions: • Pg 376- Q1-3 • Pg 381 Q 4-5 • Pg 383 Q 6-8 • Pg 387 Q 9-13 • Pg 393 Q 14-16