Problem 5 - Biology: The Dynamic Science

Question

Which of the following behaviors might have been produced by sexual selection? a. A male frog calls loudly and clearly from a pond during the breeding season. b. A young male goat bleats plaintively when left by its mother. c. A hen clucks to call its chicks closer when a predator approaches. d. A female lion ignores the sexual advances of a young male. e. A male dog is attracted to the odor of a female dog.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The behaviors that might have been produced by sexual selection are a. A male frog calls loudly and clearly from a pond during the breeding season, d. A female lion ignores the sexual advances of a young male, and e. A male dog is attracted to the odor of a female dog.

Step 1: Behavior Analysis

a. A male frog calls loudly and clearly from a pond during the breeding season. This is a common behavior in many animal species where the male advertises his availability to females. This can be classified under sexual selection as it is a communication strategy to attract mates.

Step 2: Behavior Analysis

b. A young male goat bleats plaintively when left by its mother. This behavior is more related to the survival of young ones rather than sexual selection. Usually young animals make these calls to signal their parents for help or feeding.

Step 3: Behavior Analysis

c. A hen clucks to call its chicks closer when a predator approaches. This is not related to sexual selection, it is instead an example of parental care and protection against potential dangers.

Step 4: Behavior Analysis

d. A female lion ignores the sexual advances of a young male. This behavior can be seen as part of sexual selection where the female chooses or rejects potential mates based on certain criteria. This includes age, dominance, or even physical traits.

Step 5: Behavior Analysis

e. A male dog is attracted to the odor of a female dog. This can be related to sexual selection as many animals use scent as a way to choose mates. The scent can indicate if the female is in breeding condition and also gives cues related to her genetic compatibility.