Study Questions for Male Strategies

1. How do the lizards of the rock-paper-scissors game illustrate the three basic male mating strategies?

2. How are badges used in male contest? What are the advantages to a the badge holder?

How are badges used in female choice? What are the advantages to a choosy female?

How are such badges costly? Note: an answer spanning three lectures.

3. The war of attrition suggests that males should not display information or intentions during contests because it could be used by the other contestant against the male. What are some advantages of giving away information during contests?

4. What are the conditions for an ESS?

5. What is meant by condition dependent versus genetically determined strategies? Use the isopod and blue gill examples to explain your answer.