From frogs to humans, selecting a mate is complicated. Females of many species judge suitors based on many indicators of health or parenting potential. But it can be difficult for males to produce multiple signals that demonstrate these qualities simultaneously.
In a study of gray tree frogs, a team of University of Minnesota researchers discovered that females prefer males whose calls reflect the ability to multitask effectively. In this species (Hyla chrysoscelis) males produce “trilled” mating calls that consist of a string of pulses.
Typical calls can range in duration from 20-40 pulses per call and occur between 5-15 calls per minute. Males face a trade-off between call duration and call rate, but females preferred calls that are longer andmore frequent, which is no simple task.
The findings were published in August issue of Animal Behavior.
“It’s kind of like singing and dancing at the same time,” says Jessica Ward, a postdoctoral researcher who is lead author for the study. Ward works in the laboratory of Mark Bee, a professor in the College of Biological Sciences’ Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior.
The study supports the multitasking hypothesis, which suggests that females prefer males who can do two or more hard-to-do things at the same time because these are especially good quality males, Ward says. The hypothesis, which explores how multiple signals produced by males influence female behavior, is a new area of interest in animal behavior research.
By listening to recordings of 1,000 calls, Ward and colleagues learned that males are indeed forced to trade off call duration and call rate. That is, males that produce relatively longer calls only do so at relatively slower rates.
“It’s easy to imagine that we humans might also prefer multitasking partners, such as someone who can successfully earn a good income, cook dinner, manage the finances and get the kids to soccer practice on time.”
The study was carried out in connection with Bee’s research goal, which is understanding how female frogs are able to distinguish individual mating calls from a large chorus of males. By comparison, humans, especially as we age, lose the ability to distinguish individual voices in a crowd. This phenomenon, called the “cocktail party” problem, is often the first sign of a diminishing ability to hear. Understanding how frogs hear could lead to improved hearing aids.
Despite coming from a family with hyper-fertile women, Crystal didn’t think she wanted kids. All seven of her older sisters each had at least 3 children of their own, and over half of them were currently pregnant. Crystal had no desire to get knocked up… but her body had other plans.
After turning 18, Crystal’s hips widened at a rapid pace. Her ass expanded to the point where none of her pants fit. And bigger bras had to be purchased on a weekly basis.
After just a months, she resembled her sisters. Busty, curvy, and tantalizingly thick. Not just that, but a deep hunger burned inside of her womb. Every time she passed a well-built man, her legs trembled, and her pussy ached.
Only a few week after her birthday, Crystal bumped into a tall, muscled man on the street, and her ovaries dropped no less than four ripe eggs. She knew right then and there… She was born a breeder.
Imaginethe Bug getting distracted by your pheromones.
Unfortunately, Kerb didn’t have his Edgar suit on. He wasn’t really sure to court you, anyway. You looked like a human, but the chemical signals wafting from your smaller frame were driving him crazy. Upon closer examination, it was clear you weren’t hiding inside someone’s skin.
Kerb couldn’t help imagining what it must be like to run his tarsi over your soft features while mounting you. He wasn’t sure you could crossbeed. But still, you’d make a nice receptacle for his sperm.
I think it must be green dock beetles that are appearing red from the light. If any one else knows otherwise please give me a heads up :) They were in Falmouth, Cornwall.
Imagine the idea of remaining celibate your entire existence right until the last day of your life where you engage in a massive orgy of sorts. Intrigueing? The carribean reef squid(Sepioteuthis sepioidea)does just that! A torpedo-shaped squid that averages in length at about 20cm, belongs to the Cephalopod family and can be found in the shallow reefs of the carribean sea in schools of 4-30. If you think this is going to be just another boring entry extolling the biological traits of this cephalopod– think again! One of the most interesting aspects about this squid is that, like other cephalopods, its is semelparous. Semelparous organisms reproduce only once in their lifetime, thus explaining the title of this entry you are reading. The crux of this entry, will thus focus on the mating ritual of the carribean reef squid.For the most part of their lifespan, the Sepioteuthis sepioidea are perfectly content having no sex at all, swimming around in schools in the day and hunting alone for food at night, consuming up to 60% of their body mass with their voracious appetites. However, this all changes as they approach the last weeks of their lifespan, and their voracious appetite for food translates into an overwhelming sex drive. During mating season, these squids are known to mate for hours at a time, and their mating ritual precedes a courtship process, which can be a very interesting sight indeed. During the courtship ritual the Sepioteuthis sepioidea change their colouration, shape and texture via nervous control of their chromatophores. Males do this to enhance their attractiveness to the opposite sex whereas females do so to indicate their interest.
A couple of tiny weevils making the most of a sunny spot along the Comber Greenway in Dundonald today. They were only about 4mm long so weren’t going to shock anyone
Freshly mated alpha emerging from the bedroom, blood smeared over the lower half of their face and over their chest. Fresh blood still leaking near their neck as they walk right past the roommate in the kitchen.
Q: Why do cats scream at night? A: There are only 3 common reasons you might hear cats scream at any time. Mating Females will yowl and make a lot of crazy-sounding noises when they are in heat. This is so that all the intact males in the area will know that this is their chance. Fighting Whether it’s a fight over territory, access to a mate, a female or male guarding kittens (yes, males do this…
Ben Solo was the epitome of an Alpha Male. Tall and strong, with a body that looked like Michaelangelo’s David, carved out of solid marble. He was solid and in control, commanding respect by his very presence. He had proven himself to be a lethal killing machine in Iraq. His new job at NYPD SVU, put him in touch with his nuturing side, especially toward women that had been abused. He could never understand how someone could harm their own mate, when all he had ever dreamed about was finding his.
Hey guys. This is my entry for the FB AO3 Challenge. I spun Modern AU crossover.
Reblogging because I’ve decided to add a few more chapters. Chapter 2 is up on AO3 and Wattpad.
Sample:
His scent was everywhere. He smelled like the forest and copper and something uniquely his own. The smell of home. She had waited for this man, fought off a barrage of pushy Alphas. She was glad she did.
She wanted more than anything to smell like him, so that she was more his. She rubbed her cheek on his neck and placed a tiny kiss on the scent gland just below his ear. She was shocked by the jolt of pleasure that surged through her body.
Ben Solo was the epitome of an Alpha Male. Tall and strong, with a body that looked like Michaelangelo’s David, carved out of solid marble. He was solid and in control, commanding respect by his very presence. He had proven himself to be a lethal killing machine in Iraq. His new job at NYPD SVU, put him in touch with his nuturing side, especially toward women that had been abused. He could never understand how someone could harm their own mate, when all he had ever dreamed about was finding his.
Hey guys. This is my entry for the FB AO3 Challenge. I spun Modern AU crossover.
Reblogging because I’ve decided to add a few more chapters. Chapter 2 is up on AO3 and Wattpad.
Sample:
His scent was everywhere. He smelled like the forest and copper and something uniquely his own. The smell of home. She had waited for this man, fought off a barrage of pushy Alphas. She was glad she did.
She wanted more than anything to smell like him, so that she was more his. She rubbed her cheek on his neck and placed a tiny kiss on the scent gland just below his ear. She was shocked by the jolt of pleasure that surged through her body.
