In: Biology
In which case below would you predict males to have the largest testes size?
a. Mates are strictly monogamous.
b. Females freely mate with multiple males.
c. Males closely defend groups of females from other males.
d. Males are able to “seal off” the female’s reproductive tract after mating.
The answer of the provided question is-
Among all the options that are mentioned in the question ,I would predict option "b" i.e. "females freely mate with multiple males " can be the reason in case of males to have the largest testes size.
Because,The main reason of having large sized testes in males is the competition of sperms among various male members that have mated with a particular female. And this competition of sperm can occur when females mate freely with multiple males. Because, only the sperm of good quality (healthy one ) from a male partner is needed by the female members for fertilization.So, when females of a speceis freely mate with multiple males,then as a result of it, competition (for the fertilization of the egg of the female ) between the sperms of different male partner of a female are observed . And to gain success in this competition of sperm ,a male member must produce more and more number of sperms than other male members.This production of large number of sperm can only be possible when the male have testes of large size.
The options "a", "c" and "d" are not indicating the fact that females freely mate with multiple males . As a result of it, there is no competition of sperm among various male members exist.So, the males in the case of option "a","c" and "d" have testes of smaller size.
So, the answer of the provided question is option "b" i.e. "females freely mate with multiple males".