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🦍biological anthropology review

Lekking behavior

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Lekking behavior is a mating strategy where males gather in specific locations, known as leks, to compete for female attention through displays and courtship rituals. This behavior is often seen in various species of birds and mammals, where males showcase their physical attributes and vocalizations to attract females. Lekking is a fascinating example of sexual selection, highlighting how competition among males can influence reproductive success and mating patterns.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Lekking behavior typically involves males displaying in an open area to maximize visibility and attract females from a distance.
  2. The males in a lek often engage in competitive behaviors such as vocalizations, physical displays, and even fighting to establish dominance.
  3. Females usually visit leks to assess the males' displays before choosing a mate, which may lead to a preference for certain traits that signal genetic quality.
  4. In many species, only a few dominant males will mate with the majority of females, resulting in skewed reproductive success among the males in the lek.
  5. Lekking is energetically costly for males as they must invest significant time and resources into attracting mates while also facing risks from predators.

Review Questions

  • How does lekking behavior exemplify sexual selection in animal mating strategies?
    • Lekking behavior showcases sexual selection as it allows males to compete for female attention through various displays and courtship tactics. In this setting, females are given the opportunity to choose mates based on the traits they observe during these displays. The competition among males leads to the evolution of specific characteristics that may be attractive to females, ultimately influencing reproductive success and shaping the mating patterns of the species.
  • Discuss the implications of lekking behavior on male reproductive success and population dynamics within a species.
    • Lekking behavior can significantly affect male reproductive success because only a small number of dominant males typically secure most of the matings within the lek. This can lead to pronounced differences in reproductive success among males, impacting the genetic diversity of the population. Additionally, when many males gather in one location to display, it can create social hierarchies that influence future breeding opportunities and might affect population dynamics by concentrating mating efforts into specific areas.
  • Evaluate how environmental factors might influence the formation and success of leks in different species.
    • Environmental factors such as habitat availability, predation risk, and resource distribution can greatly influence lek formation and success. For example, leks are often established in open areas where visibility is high for both males and females, ensuring effective display and mate assessment. Additionally, areas with abundant resources may attract more females, increasing competition among males. Changes in environmental conditions or habitat destruction can disrupt these leks, potentially leading to decreased mating opportunities and reduced genetic diversity within affected populations.