SS3 Biology Lesson Note on Reproductive Behaviours in Animals

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TOPIC: REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOURS IN ANIMALS

CONTENT:

1. Paring
2. Territoriality
3. Display of body colours
4. Seasonal migration

SUB-TOPIC 1: COURTSHIP BEHAVIOURS IN ANIMALS

Courtship is a collection of ritualized behaviours unique to each species that lead up to and enable animals to have successful sex union. Courtship may be simple, involving a small number of chemical, visual or auditory stimuli. It may also be a highly complex series of act by two or more individuals using several modes of communication. It helps strengthen pair bonds that may last through rising of the young. It particularly helps birds to select compatible or best mates and ensure viable offspring.

Types of Courtship Behaviour

Different species of animals show different methods and signs unique to them. Some courtship behaviour of animals is as follows:

 Paring

Many animal species exhibit pairing. These include toads, termites, fishes, human and some mammals. Pairing refers to a behavior that involves a mature male and female choosing each other and leaving their fold. They usually go together in twos (pairs)for a fresh or different place leaving the others behind. For instance, winged termites pair up and eventually start a fresh colony elsewhere. In the new place, the female becomes the king. Initially, the female attracts the male by releasing a scanty hormone (pheromone).They shed off one wing and later the second, first by the male and then followed by the female. These paired termites are usually seen at the start of the rainy season, swarming at night, especially near electric bulbs or lanterns.

Territoriality

Territoriality is the behavior by which animal lay claim and defends an area against others of its species and sometimes members of other species. The territory defended could be hundreds of square miles in size or only slightly larger than the animal itself. A single animal, a pair, a family or entire herd may occupy the territory. Some animals use the territory as a source food and shelter and thus hold and defend it year round. Other animals establish a territory only at a certain time of the year, when it is needed for attracting a mate, breeding or raising a family.

The male Agama lizard exhibit territoriality. Usually there is only one adult male Agama lizard in a territory which could be an exclusive portion of a lawn, part of a roof or garden. Several female lizards and young males are usually the other members of this territory. The adult male lizard leads others back to its territory where they would stay overnight for protection against danger or predators. To gain dominance, the male becomes aggressive as soon as an intruding or rival adult male lizard enters its territory. It may make loud noise, launch forward to an opponent and even attempt to bite the rival male. It can threaten a rival by bobbing its head and expanding its gular fold. If the rival does not leave, a fight may ensue.

Establishment of territories ensures that there are enough compatible mating partners, no overcrowding or even under-crowding.

Humans also exhibit territoriality as they too defend their home out of jealousy.

Display of Body Colours

Some animals carry out courtship exhibitions called displays. They are designed to show their interest in mating. Such animals include birds (fowls, hens, turkey and peacock) cricket, winged termite, lizard and he-goats. Display takes various forms   in humans. They include the use of perfume, voice (intonation), beauty, seductive walking, facial expression, dressing and decoration. They use them to attract members of the opposite sex.

Display may be in the form of spreading beautiful feathers, making noise, wagging of tail, giving a hot chase, singing, dancing, feeding and building nest.

Display is exhibited in the following ways in some animals;

1. Goat: – The he goat chases the she goats hotly and makes a peculiar noise.
2. Lizards:-In their natural habitat, the female curves its back and rises up tail. The male in turn wags its tail, nods its head and shows off its brightly coloured (red) head and body to the female. The female could be attracted by this display.
3. Cricket: – The male cricket attracts the female by making shrill noise with its outer wings.
4. Birds:-Different birds exhibit diverse types of display. These include singing, dancing, feeding, building nests, preening and showing off their beautiful feathers and body.
5. Fireflies: – The male fireflies use flashes of light when flying around to seek mate. Female fireflies will use the same flashes to communicate their readiness for the male if interested. Some species even use different colours and intensities of light to signify their intentions.

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