Is lekking polygamous?
Table of Contents
The Lek Polygyny mating system promotes a heavily skewed mating success rate among lekking males. Although most of the individuals in a lek never receive a mating opportunity, lek polygamy continues to flourish among various species of birds and insects (Sherman, 1999).
Is lekking Intrasexual selection?
In the lekking lance-tailed manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata), these selective episodes are temporally separated into intrasexual competition for alpha status and female mate choice among alpha males that rarely interact.
Why might monogamous animals still undergo courtship dances?
In some species that form lifelong monogamous relationships, both members of the pair-bond engage in an interactive courtship dance. The first time this occurs, the dance helps form the pair-bond. Later, the dance helps reinforce the pair-bond.
Why do males aggregate in leks?
As females rarely mate outside of leks, it is advantageous for males to form leks. Although not all males within a lek mate with a female, the unmated males still receive fitness benefits. Kin selection explains that related males congregate to form leks, as a way to attract females and increase inclusive fitness.
What causes lekking system?
A lek is an aggregation of male animals gathered to engage in competitive displays and courtship rituals, known as lekking, to entice visiting females which are surveying prospective partners with which to mate.
How might the lek paradox be explained?
The ‘lek paradox’ (see Glossary) has long haunted the study of sexual selection. If females prefer certain male traits that indicate viability, then the increased mating success of males bearing them should rapidly exhaust genetic variation for viability and drive the traits to fixation.
What is LEK Consulting known for?
LEK Consulting is known for using deep industry expertise and rigorous analysis to aid business leaders in creating practical results with sustainable impact.
How do female greater sage grouse choose their mates?
Sage grouse are polygynous, meaning males mate with more than one female. From years of observing sage grouse on leks, biologists find that most of the females choose to mate with the one dominant male on the lek.
What is the lekking behavior of an adult bird?
Adults have a unique lekking (ie, aggregation) behavior that is critical for mating (Tomberlin and Sheppard, 2001 ). Adults are known to form aggregation sites where males will attempt to secure a female in flight and mate with her. Because of such a behavior, colonies are to be maintained in cages at minimum 1 m 3 ( Fig. 6.11 A).
What is a lekking species?
Lek mating. A lekking species is characterised by male displays, strong female mate choice, and the conferring of male indirect benefits. Although most prevalent among birds such as black grouse, lekking is also found in insects including paper wasps, crustaceans, fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
What is the hypothesis of lekking?
An alternative hypothesis for lekking is kin selection, which assumes that males within a lek are related to one another. As females rarely mate outside of leks, it is advantageous for males to form leks. Although not all males within a lek mate with a female, the unmated males still receive fitness benefits.
What is lek mating in animals?
Lek mating. A lek, from the Swedish word for “play”, is an aggregation of male animals gathered to engage in competitive displays, lekking, to entice visiting females which are surveying prospective partners for copulation.