Courtship Behavior

• Why is courtship behaviour needed?

  • Essential for successful mating
  • Species recognition
• What is a species?

  A group of similar organisms that can breed to make fertile offspring
• What are courtship rituals?

  A sequence of actions which is unique to each species
• Courtship rituals:

  • Most rituals are performed by males
  • They can include a sequence of dance moves sounds , release of pheromones or display of colourful feathers or fighting
  • Females observe the courtship rituals and decide if they want to mate with the male
• What is the importance of courtship behaviour?

  To ensure successful reproduction

  • enables them to recognise own species and opposite sex
  • Synchronises mating behaviour - indicates sexually mature and in reason (releasing eggs)

  To ensure survival of the offspring

  • Form a pair bond
  • Choose a strong healthy mate
• The more similar a species sequence is the more similar their DNA base sequence

  is.