The Mating Game

1. http://www.fffbi.com/signals/radio/images/sidebar_radio.gif The Mating Game Welcome to another exciting edition of ‘The Mating Game’, where successful reproduction is what it’s all about! We all know that choosing the right partner helps you pass on your genes to the next generation, but choosing the wrong one can send you straight down an evolutionary dead end! Are you all ready to play?! http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/79/60/23286079.jpg

2. Game Play In the tradition of all good role play , Flash cards tell exactly what you say! But my friends, what they have not got. Are the pairing’s– that’s up to you lot! Help our contestants find their mates. In the game some questions they will state. Consider how well they suit each other. So they might make some wee sisters and brothers!!! http://gallery.photo.net/photo/5708556-md.jpg http://www.reedersguide.com/images/dog12.JPG

3. Introducing Darren the Great Crested Grebe • Host: It's time for a new round of The Mating Game! Please welcome Darren, a three-year-old great crested grebe visiting us here from his pond in Bavaria. Tell us a bit about yourself, Darren. • Darren: Well, like you said, Larry, I'm a great crested grebe. I guess I'd call myself a romantic -- I'm really looking for that one special female. I'm a good dancer, I love giving gifts, and I hope to someday build a great little nest with that special someone! • Host: We all know how important it is to get one's genes into the next generation. For Darren and other grebes, that requires a strong pair bond: a reproductive pact between the male and female that is solidified through ritualized activities such as dancing, gift giving, and nest building. These activities help ensure that each mate is fully committed to raising and protecting the young. Darren may be a romantic, but that doesn't mean he's impractical. • Host: Darren, behind each of the three curtains before you sits a different creature -- but only one of them is the female great crested grebe of your dreams! Because you seem very discriminating in your tastes, you shouldn't have much difficulty distinguishing a fellow grebe from another species. But ask your questions wisely -- you may have more in common with another species than you think! http://hologuides.com/animals/birds/photos/great_crested_grebe_1024.jpg

4. Darren the Great Crested Grebe Question 1: What would a dream suitor bring to you on a first date? Question 2: If you were to have children, how may would you hope to have? Question 3: If I pick you, where do you see us in a year? http://hologuides.com/animals/birds/photos/great_crested_grebe_1024.jpg

5. Darren’ s Bachelorette #1 Question 1: What would a dream suitor bring to you on a first date? Answer 1: Bottom vegetation is always a great thrill. Question 2: If you were to have children, how may would you hope to have? Answer 2: Per year? Six. Question 3: If I pick you, where do you see us in a year? Answer 3: We'll be together, I hope, but it depends a bit on how well things go between us this year.

6. Darren’ s Bachelorette #2 Question 1: What would a dream suitor bring to you on a first date? Answer 1: I 'm interested in the suitor, not the gift. If I could find someone who would just latch on and never let go, I'd be ecstatic. Question 2: If you were to have children, how may would you hope to have? Answer 2: Several hundred would be a dream come true. Question 3: If I pick you, where do you see us in a year? Answer 3: We'd be inseparable, for as long as we live.

7. Darren’ s Bachelorette #3 Question 1: What would a dream suitor bring to you on a first date? Answer 1: You know, I don't really date much, so... I don't have any idea. Question 2: If you were to have children, how may would you hope to have? Answer 2: I haven't thought much about children, but I guess 6,000 would be a successful year. Question 3: If I pick you, where do you see us in a year? Answer 3: Frankly, I don't see the two of us meaning any more to one another in a year than we do now. That's not good or bad, just the way it is.

8. Darren’s decision Host: Okay, Darren, it's time to choose. Take a moment to consider what you've learned about each bachelorette. Do you know which is your dream mate? You can ask the audience if you want! (Choose) Host: Ok so lets meet the lovely ladies that missed out.

9. Darren’s Bachelorette #2 Bachelorette Number Two is Emily, a... um... beautiful black devil anglerfish. While you both share a taste for fish, that's where your similarities end. Obviously, you're different species, so for that reason the two of you wouldn't get very far reproductively. Besides, Emily is looking for a mate who's nearly completely dependent upon her -- rather parasite-like, if you know what I mean. Yes, it's clear that you're looking for a strong pair bond, Darren, but Emily may be a bit extreme even for you! Thanks for coming, Emily. For your time we're sending you back to the deep sea with a case of fresh-frozen feeder guppies. http://www.firstpr.com.au/rwi/dfish/common_black_devil_anglerfish-yellow-from-bioinfo.kordic.re.kr-full.jpg

10. Darren’s Bachelorette #3 http://www.westworld.com/~fabio/gallery/bonaire-scuba-photo/bonaire-purple-tube-sponge.jpg Now let's meet Chris, a lovely purple tube sponge. As beautiful as Chris is to look at, I think you'd agree, Darren, she's not quite the match for you. In fact, she's not even a fellow vertebrate, so that pretty much eliminates the chance of anything happening between the two of you reproductively. Also, Chris knows nothing about courtship: She reproduces by spilling thousands of eggs into the surrounding water and hoping that some of them will meet up with another sponge's sperm. Darren's weed dance would be completely lost on her! Thanks for uprooting yourself, though, Chris, so that you could join us here today.

11. Darren’s Bachelorette #1 All right, Darren, let's meet your mystery date. Bachelorette Number One is Stephanie, a four-year-old great crested grebe. Stephanie is oh-so interested in forming a strong pair bond. She enjoys intricate courtship dances and loves to receive gifts of aquatic vegetation. You too would be very happy together. If you hook up and things move quickly and you start building a nest structure, we'll be happy to relocate the whole works for you back in Bavaria, where you'll settle for good. Good luck to you both!

12. Introducing Clarice the Eastern Grey Tree Frog Host: Let's all welcome Clarice to The Mating Game. Clarice is a striking eastern gray treefrog from South Carolina, and she's here today, like all of our Mating Game contestants, in search of a compatible mate. Of course, the ultimate goal here on The Mating Game is reproductive success. And Clarice has been having bad luck in that department over the last couple of breeding seasons. Would you mind telling us about it, Clarice? Clarice: Well, Larry, I guess it all boils down to species recognition, a really important process in gray treefrog reproduction. In the wetland where I live, there are dozens of frog species; there's even another species of gray treefrog that's nearly identical in every way to my own species. We both kind of look alike, even to each other! In fact, the only way we can tell each other apart is through our different courtship songs. Host: And you've had trouble with this? Clarice: Two seasons in a row now I've paired with a member of another species, the Cope's gray treefrog. And although I've been able to produce offspring from these matings, my tadpoles are sterile and will never be able to reproduce. Evolutionarily speaking, my genes have reached the end of the line! Host: Well, Clarice, sources tell me you've been studying up on those courtship songs. Maybe today you'll be able to distinguish between the song of a male from your species and a male Cope's gray treefrog. So let's put your hard work to the test and see if you can find your dream mate right here on The Mating Game! Host: Behind each of the three curtains before you sits a different creature -- but only one of them is the male eastern treefrog you need for successful breeding! So listen carefully, and good luck! http://www.thefrugallife.com/BCCblog/uploaded_images/EGTF-757127.jpg

13. Clarice the Eastern Grey Tree Frog Question 1: How would you describe an ideal courtship? Question 2: How would you get my attention in the dark? Question 3: If this were a talent show and I were the judge, what special talent would you want me to judge you by? http://www.thefrugallife.com/BCCblog/uploaded_images/EGTF-757127.jpg

14. Clarice’s Bachelor #1 Question 1: How would you describe an ideal courtship? Answer 1: You'd just appear before me, out of the darkness. And I know if I got you to come that close, you'd be convinced that I'm the one for you. Question 2: How would you get my attention in the dark? Answer 2: I've experimented with plenty of courtship songs -- with little success, I'm afraid. I usually fall back on the song I learned from the older frogs in my pond. Question 3: If this were a talent show and I were the judge, what special talent would you want me to judge you by? Answer 3: Great question! I would definitely want you to judge me on my ability to change the colour and pattern of my skin relative to whatever setting I was in.

15. Clarice’s Bachelor #2 Question 1: How would you describe an ideal courtship? Answer 1: I like to court under the cover of darkness. It's terrifying enough to be out in the open at night, much less during the day. Question 2: How would you get my attention in the dark? Answer 2: I've heard my courtship song described as a harsh, nasal "quank-quank-quank." Personally, I think that's a little unfair, but you can decide for yourself. Question 3: If this were a talent show and I were the judge, what special talent would you want me to judge you by? Answer 3: Like I said earlier, I'm basically nocturnal. I guess my special talent would be hiding so well that I make myself invisible during the day.

16. Clarice’s Bachelor #3 Question 1: How would you describe an ideal courtship? Answer 1: Courtship can be so exciting. I actually get quite a rush being out in the open singing as loudly as I can. Sure, there are predators out there at night, but there are also receptive females! Question 2: How would you get my attention in the dark? Answer 2: I always try to call as loudly as I can. Even though I know it's important to attract a mate of the right species, I still want to have as many females to choose from as possible. Question 3: If this were a talent show and I were the judge, what special talent would you want me to judge you by? Answer 3: Oh, there's so much! Let's see... There's my ability to change color to match my background. I can easily live and breed in ditches and pools that other species wouldn't be caught dead in. And, of course, I've already mentioned my loud and melodious songs.

17. Clarice’s decision Host: What do you think, Clarice? I sure hope you've studied your calls well, because these guys all seem like the same frog to me. But I guess you're used to being in the dark about who's courting you, right, Clarice? Take some time to consider what you've learned about each bachelor. You may ask the audience if you want! (Choose) Host: Ok lets meet the suitors you turned down.

18. Clarice’s Bachelor #2 Now, let's meet that mysterious Bachelor Number Two. Clarice, this is Kevin, a green tree frog. Isn't he beautiful? Look at that gorgeous green skin and the brilliant white stripe down the side of his body. Wow! All right, before I embarrass him any further, I'll just tell you a little about him. Kevin comes from the coastal plains of South Carolina, where he's been breeding successfully for three of his four years. Although Kevin's species can interbreed and produce healthy offspring with another species, the barking tree frog, he and Clarice couldn't possibly be successful. Their species are just too different. http://www.discoverlife.org/IM/I_JP/0066/320/Hyla_cinerea,_Green_Treefrog,I_JP6639_1.jpg

19. Clarice’s Bachelor #3 Come on out, Jeff! Jeff is Clarice’s perfect match. He's a gorgeous eastern gray tree frog -- about the greenest one I've ever seen, but as we've heard, Jeff's ability to match his environment in the wild is extraordinary. He's probably just a little mixed up with all these bright studio lights. Anyway, I'm so happy for the two of you! The Mating Game would like to send you both to Acapulco, Mexico. Now, we know it's far away from your homes, but we've been assured that there's no shortage of insects there this year. Best of luck to you both!

20. Clarice’s Bachelor #1 Clarice, were you fooled by another Cope's gray treefrog? I couldn't tell their calls apart either. Maybe some of your fellow females could give you a few tips to make the selection easier. But I suppose they're not too willing to share, because that would be giving you an advantage, wouldn't it? Oh well, that's neither here nor there at this point. Honestly, mating would be an unwise use of energy for both of them. Pat, for your time, we'll be sending you home with a case of freeze-dried mealworms to get you through that next drought.

21. Introducing Stefan the Burying Beetle http://www.gpnc.org/images/jpegs/animals/abbeetle.jpg • Host: Let's welcome Stefan to The Mating Game. It's great to have you with us today. I once met a burying beetle from Oklahoma by the name of Ramel. I don't suppose there's any relation, is there? I suppose not. Anyway, why don't you tell us a little about yourself. • Stefan: Well, Larry, I'm a five-week-old burying beetle, and I come from a small island off the coast of Rhode Island. What else? I guess this may surprise you, because I'm a beetle, but I'm really hoping to establish a strong pair bond with my dream mate. And ultimately I'd like to settle down and raise a family with her. • Host: Is it true that you like carrion an awful lot? • Stefan: It's not so much that I like it, but I do need it in order to reproduce. • Host: Okay, well, let's hope for everybody's sake that you choose correctly, then. • Host: Behind each of the three curtains before you sits a different creature -- but only one of them is the female burying beetle you're looking for! Because your requirements seem a little peculiar, I suspect you'll be able to pick the perfect match pretty easily. Are you ready to begin, Stefan? Let's go!

22. Stefan the Burying Beetle Question 1 How long would your ideal relationship last? Question 2: What might you do to convince me that you're the one for me? Question 3: Would you rather have your space, or a male who helps with the day-to-day tasks? http://www.gpnc.org/images/jpegs/animals/abbeetle.jpg http://hologuides.com/animals/birds/photos/great_crested_grebe_1024.jpg

23. Stefan’s Bachelorette #1 Question 1 How long would your ideal relationship last? Answer 1: I once heard of a relationship that lasted 19 minutes. That would be phenomenal! Question 2: What might you do to convince me that you're the one for me? Answer 2: Don't you have that turned around? Isn't it you who has to convince me? Question 3: Would you rather have your space, or a male who helps with the day-to-day tasks? Answer 3: Day to day?! Are you kidding? I only have a few hours, so the sooner we're finished doing what needs to be done, you can be on your way

24. Stefan’s Bachelorette #2 Question 1 How long would your ideal relationship last? Answer 1: If I had a choice, I'd say a lifetime, but it depends more on how long you remain dominant among our peers. Question 2: What might you do to convince me that you're the one for me? Answer 2: I don't think I'd have to do much: fall in line, stay with the group, care for the young. Question 3: Would you rather have your space, or a male who helps with the day-to-day tasks? Answer 3: That's a funny question. Naturally, I prefer to have a lot of personal space.

25. Stefan’s Bachelorette #3 Question 1 How long would your ideal relationship last? Answer 1: I've thought a lot about this: Four weeks would be perfect. Question 2: What might you do to convince me that you're the one for me? Answer 2: I think what might impress you most is my fighting ability. I'd simply be the only female left for you to choose from. Question 3: Would you rather have your space, or a male who helps with the day-to-day tasks? Answer 3: I would love to have a cooperative relationship -- just the two of us, insulated from the rest of the world.

26. Stefan’s decision Host: Okay, Stefan, it's time to choose. What do you think? Is that carrion-loving mate of your dreams behind Curtain Number One, Number Two, or Number Three? Take some time to consider what you've learned about each of the bachelorettes. Get the audience to give you some help! (Choose) Host: Ok lets meet the runners up

27. Stefan’s Bachelorette #2 Stefan, meet Giselle, a 34-year-old African elephant. I'm sorry to say you two could not be more different! For one thing, even if it were possible for the two of you to have children, Katie's gestation period would last longer than your entire lifetime! Also, she plans to have very few offspring and to devote years to their care. So, it's safe to say you did well by not selecting her. Right this way, Katie -- we have a lovely day planned for you at the Graze and Wallow spa. http://www.elephantcountryweb.com/AfricanElephant111.jpg

28. Stefan’s Bachelorette #3 http://www.westworld.com/~fabio/gallery/bonaire-scuba-photo/bonaire-purple-tube-sponge.jpg Time to meet Bachelorette #3. She's slim, she's got a carapace, and she likes dead and rotting rodents probably as much as you do. Come on out, Sharon! According to her bio, Sharon is an American burying beetle who wants nothing more than to dig a hole, drag in a dead mouse, seal herself and her mate inside the chamber, and lay a bunch of eggs on the carcass. Sounds like you two were made for each other! All you need is a fresh road-killed meadow vole to lay your eggs on. Have a blast, you two, and good luck with the forthcoming family! http://pie.midco.net/dougback/miscphotos/abb2004.jpg

29. Stefan’s Bachelorette #1 Okay, Stefan, meet Bachelorette Number One. Come on out, Brooke. A common fruit fly with a life span of just a couple of weeks, Brooke simply has no time for pair bonding or parental care of her young. She can't waste time with lengthy courtship rituals, especially with a member of another species. Brooke has no choice but to breed quickly and produce lots of eggs, because she won't be around to protect and care for them. Brooke, no point wasting anymore of your precious time, we're going to rush you off, all expenses paid, to the outdoor fruit market down the street, where you can grab a quick bite! http://www.beyondrobson.com/archives/upload/2007/05/2007_05_28_fruitfly.jpg