You discover a rare new bird species, but you are unable to observe its mating behavior. You see that the male is large and ornamental compared with the female. On this basis, you can probably conclude that the species is ________.
A) polygamous
B) monogamous
C) polyandrous
D) agonistic

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Typically, male birds with large ornamental features are an indication of competition between males for mates. Polygamous species have one male mating with multiple females, so large ornamental males would increase their chances of mating with more females. In contrast, monogamous species have one male mating with one female, and polyandrous species have one female mating with multiple males, so there is less competition between males and therefore less selection for ornamental features. Agonistic species are those that exhibit aggressive behavior, but this does not necessarily relate to ornamental features or mating behavior.

You Discover a Rare New Bird Species, but You Are