Two opposite-sex animals can produce {mating}| offspring by uniting sperm and egg. Sexual reproduction allows more variation and more sexual selection.
polygamy
Animals can have more than one mate. Polygamy is typical, because parental investment in children is typically unequal. Abundant food at least once a year, heavy predation, precocious young, greater longevity, different gender maturation ages, and different gender niches favor polygamy. High competition for mates leads to polygamy and mate monopolization. Polygamous species tend to have high sexual dimorphism.
monogamy
Animals can have one mate. Monogamy is rare. Monogamy happens in territories with scarce resources that require two animals to maintain or defend. Monogamy happens in difficult environments. Monogamy happens in species with early breeding. Monogamous species tend to have low sexual dimorphism.
Biological Sciences>Biology>Evolution>Reproduction>Mating
4-Biology-Evolution-Reproduction-Mating
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Date Modified: 2022.0224