What is the benefit of extra-pair matings?

What is the benefit of extra-pair matings?

Extra-pair mating constitutes a relatively frequent reproductive strategy in a number of passerine species (Petrie and Kempenaers 1998). Although males may clearly benefit from this behaviour, which enables them to sire more offspring, female benefits from extra-pair copulation (EPC) are still debated (Griffith et al.

What is extra-pair paternity in birds?

Extra-pair paternity is the result of copulation between a female and a male other than her social partner. In socially monogamous birds, old males are most likely to sire extra-pair offspring.

Why do female birds involve in extra-pair copulations?

Female birds often copulate with males that are not their social partner, but why they do this is unclear1. Blomqvist et al. present evidence from three wader species showing that extra-pair fertilizations are more likely when social mates are genetically closely related.

Do humans mate for life?

Modern culture tells us that each person has their “one,” a perfect partner to share the rest of their lives with. Although polygamy is practiced in various cultures, humans still tend toward monogamy. But this was not always the norm among our ancestors.

Why might extra-pair copulations be advantageous for females?

In contrast to ‘good genes’ effects, females may mate with extra-pair males to obtain direct or ecological benefits, for example to ensure fertilization of their eggs [37], to obtain nuptial gifts from several mates [38], [39], or to recruit increased paternal care at her nest [2], [40]–[42].

Why might extra pair copulations be advantageous for females quizlet?

-Extra-pair copulation selects against mate guarding because a single female cannot produce as many offspring with a single male as she can with multiple partners. -Extra-pair copulation selects against mate guarding because both partners of a monogamous pair benefit when they mate with multiple individuals.

Why might extra-pair copulations be advantageous for females quizlet?

What is a mate poacher?

Successful mate poaching is a form of infidelity that occurs when one partner knowingly attracts the mate of another with the intention of starting a sexual and/or romantic relationship with this individual. Relationships formed from poaching tend to be of lower quality than their non-poached counterparts.