Theory question 103
Behaviour(a) Mention four castes found among the termite nests
(b) (i) State one role of each caste to the two types of courtship behaviour in lower animals (ii) State two importance of courtship behaviour in the reproduction of lower animals
(d) Describe briefly the courtship behaviour exhibited by Agama lizard.
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(a) Queen; king; workers; soldiers (also winged reproductives/alates).
(b)(i) Roles: queen – lays eggs; king – mates with/fertilises the queen; workers – build and repair the nest, find and store food, feed the queen, king, soldiers and young, care for eggs; soldiers – defend the colony; winged reproductives – fly out to start new colonies.
Two types of courtship behaviour: e.g. display (dancing/colour or body display) and calling (croaking/singing); also pairing and nest building.
(ii) Any two: brings male and female of the same species together; makes the female ready to mate (synchronises readiness); helps choose a fit mate; ensures fertilisation and so continuity of the species; reduces aggression between partners.
(d) The adult male develops bright colours (orange-red head, blue body); he nods/bobs his head up and down and does push-ups on his fore limbs in front of the female; he chases her and, if she accepts, he grips her neck with his jaws and mates with her.
Termite castes: queen and king reproduce, workers work, soldiers defend.