courtship behaviour

• Speciesdefinition


  Group of similar organisms that breed to make fertile offspring

  • Pass on advantageous alleles for survival of their species
• Courtship rituals


  Sequence of actions (dance moves, sounds, release of pheromories, feather display, fighting) unique to each species so animals can identify members of their own species to reproduce with

  • Mostly performed by males, females observe ritual & decide whether they want to mate
• Importance of courtship rituals


  • Allows successful reproduction
  • Able to recognise own species & opposite sex
  • Synchronises mating behaviour indicates male is sexually mature/in season if female responds she is also sexually mature

  
  

  • Ensure offspring survives
  • Forms pair bond (strong bond) ensuring parents stay together & raise offspring
  • Appearance can suggest strong & healthy male
• Similar courtship rituals

  The more similar a courtship ritual is between diff species, the more closely related they are