Question

Short Answer: Please answer in full sentences with proper grammar. Short Paragraph format. 2pts each. Total of 32pts.

1. Discuss mate selection (direct & indirect). What is reproductive potential? What is reproductive variance? How do they influence/relate to mate selection/sexual competition?

Answer 1

Mate selection .

Any animal choosing a partner first evaluate particular stimuli and phenotype of partner and how these particular traits are beneficial to them is called a Mate selection.

In indirect mate selection females select Male having genetic variation in attractiveness and viability. And females can secure genetic benefit for their offspring. Whereas these features are not seen in Direct mate selection.

Reproductive potential is the relative capacity of species to reproduce itself in optimum conditions.

It is influenced by biological genetic and environmental factors like diseases ,resources,mares and competition.

Reproduce variance is variability in reproductive success,it is more in males as they produce millions of sperms it is also called Bateman's principle.

All these above factors influence sexual competition..mate selection, phenotypic traits, reproductive potential have direct and indirect effects on sexual competition.