COURTSHIP BEHAVIOUR

• WHAT ARE COURTSHIP BEHAVIOURS?

  sequence of actions unique to each species, which is how animals identify members of their own species to reproduce with
• WHO ARE MOST COURTSHIP BEHAVIOURS PERFORMED BY?

  males
• EXAMPLES OF COURTSHIP BEHAVIOURS?

  • sequence of dance moves
  • sequence of sounds
  • release of pheromones
  • display of colour feathers
  • fighting
• IMPORTANCE OF COURTSHIP BEHAVIOURS?

  1. To ensure successful reproduction
  2. To ensure offspring survival
• WHAT DO FEMALE DO IN RELATION TO COURTSHIP BEHAVIOURS?

  observe ritual and decide if they want to mate with male
• HOW DO COURTSHIP RITUALS ENSURE SUCCESSFUL REPRODUCTION?

  • recognise own species and opposite sex
  • synchronises mating behaviour
  • indicating partner is sexually mature and in season (ovulating)
• HOW DO COURTSHIP BEHAVIOURS ENSURE OFFSPRING SURVIVAL?

  • form pair bond
  • choose strong and healthy mate
• WHAT ELSE CAN SOMEONE DISCOVER FROM A COURSTHIP BEHAVIOUR?

  • more similar courtship sequences between different species
  • more closely related
  • as courtship rituals are genetically determined