Question

Female spotted sandpipers aggressively court males and, after mating, leave the clutch of young for the male to incubate. This sequence may be repeated several times with different males until no available males remain, forcing the female to incubate her last clutch. Which of the following terms best describes this behavior?

(A) polygyny

(B) polyandry

(C) promiscuity

(D) certainty of paternity

Short answer

1. The option “polygyny” isfalse.

2. The option “polyandry” istrue.

3. The option “promiscuity” is false.

4. The option “certainty of paternity” is false.

Step-by-step solution

Sexual selection

Organisms have developed various conspicuous physical and behavioral traits to increase their success of obtaining mates. Coloration, calling, increased size, nesting, pheromones and many other characteristics are examples of how animals have adapted for sexual selection.

Explanation of option ‘(A)’

Polygyny refers to the sexual act between a single male with two or more females. Males use polygeny to increase their relative fitness.

Therefore, polygeny is incorrect because, in the given case, the female sandpiper mates with many males.

Thus, the given option is false.

Explanation of option ‘(B)’

Polyandry refers to the sexual act between a single female and two males. It is a strategy used by females to increase the colony’s diversity. In the given case, female spotted sandpipers mate several times with different males.

Therefore, polyandry is the term that best describes the behavior of female spotted sandpipers.

Thus, the given option is true.

Explanation of option ‘(C)’

The random mating between males and females of any population is called promiscuity. In the given case, the spotted sandpiper mates with multiple males.

Therefore, promiscuity is not a suitable word for the given case.

Thus, the given option is false.

Explanation of option ‘(D)’

Certainty of paternity refers to knowledge of the putative (male) parent of an offspring. In animals, females are accurate about maternity, but males are not certain about paternity.

Therefore, certainty of paternity is not a suitable description for the given case.

Thus, the given option is false.