Male California sea lion mating success is determined by the number of mates they can acquire. Larger males are more successful at maintain larger territories. Females remain in one territory for the duration of the mating season and larger territories support more females than smaller territories. Additionally, the most successful males will fast during mating season to remain present in their territory at all times. If they leave to hunt they risk loss of their territory and access to all the females present in it. Which of the following best describes sexual selection in this species? a. Males likely engage in male-male combat to maintain territories. b. Intersexual selection is likely stronger than intrasexual selection. c. Sexual selection on the females is stronger than on the males. d. Females will mate with smaller males at a higher frequency than larger males
Male California sea lion mating success is determined by the number of mates they can acquire. Larger males are more successful at maintain larger territories. Females remain in one territory for the duration of the mating season and larger territories support more females than smaller territories. Additionally, the most successful males will fast during mating season to remain present in their territory at all times. If they leave to hunt they risk loss of their territory and access to all the females present in it. Which of the following best describes sexual selection in this species?
| a. |
Males likely engage in male-male combat to maintain territories. |
|
| b. |
Intersexual selection is likely stronger than intrasexual selection. |
|
| c. |
Sexual selection on the females is stronger than on the males. |
|
| d. |
Females will mate with smaller males at a higher frequency than larger males |
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