Courtship

Bowerbirds

In Biology, for the past few weeks, we have been learning about intraspecific relationships in animals. Intra-specific relationships are interactions among organisms of the same species. An example of this is courtship. Courtship can be described as mate-selection rituals. Animal courtship may involve complicated dances or touching, vocalisations, visual displays of beauty or fighting prowess or via chemical production. Courtship rituals are species specific. Even closely related species have different courtship behaviours. This ensures that energy is not wasted on interspecific mating. Generally, the male of the species initiates the courtship and the female selects the male based on his performance. Performing a display allows the male to present his traits or abilities to a female, allowing her to select the best mate in terms of strength, size, plumage etc. An example of courtship in animal is making bowers in bowerbird. Bowerbirds craft nest-like structures known as bowers, and decorate them with attention-getting items. During the mating season, females are attracted to males that build bowers because these structures provide them protection. The most elaborately decorated bower took more energy and resourcefulness of the male bird, suggesting a greater 'fitness' as a potential mate. This male is more likely to at least qualify food and nest resources and have an increased chance of reproductive success and therefore past those best genes in the next generation

 

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