In this lecture, we discuss sexual reproduction and how asymmetries in investment can lead to asymmetries in mating behavior among the sexes. We open the lecture with preliminaries and definitions related to the biological description of sexual behavior. We then introduce Bateman's principle and the various downstream predictions of it related to animal behavior. We then pivot to cases which may appear to contradict Bateman's principle. We then close with a discussion of the likely reason why sex evolved and the different functions that mate choice has to provide.
Topic highlights:
- definitions and theories of the adaptive value of sex
- Bateman's principle and evidence both for and against
- examples for the evolution of polygyny, monogamy, and polyandry
- Red Queen Hypothesis and the evolution of sex
- sperm competition
- mate choice, sexual selection, and genetic compatibility
Important terms: sex, meiosis, mating/sexual reproduction, physiological and anatomical differences correlated with the production of different types of gamete, including, primary sexual characteristics, secondary sexual characteristics, somatic cells, gametic cells (or gametes), diploid, haploid (or sometimes monoploid), sperm (or spermatozoa), eggs, “cost of meiosis”, haplodiploid sex-determination system, Bateman’s principle, polygyny, monogamy, polyandry, sperm competition, spermatophore, nuptial gifts, Syngnathidae, brood pouch, breeding sail, Red Queen Hypothesis, anisogamous species, hermaphrodite, protandrous hermaphrodites, protogynous hermaphrodites, isogamous species
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