USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Practice Exam

Which statement is NOT characteristic of polygyny?

1. Males compete for females

2. Females compete for 'status' in communal displays

3. Males choose among females

4. One male mates with multiple females

The correct answer is: Males compete for females

Polygyny is a mating system where one male mates with multiple females. This arrangement allows males to optimize their reproductive success by mating with several females, thereby increasing their number of offspring. The correct answer highlights a statement that does not accurately describe polygyny. In polygynous systems, it is typically the males who mate with multiple females rather than females competing for males, as the primary strategy for males is to maximize their mating opportunities. While males may compete with each other for access to females in some contexts, the competition among females for males is not a defining characteristic of polygyny. In this system, females are often selective about their mates rather than competing against each other in the same way; they may seek out males that exhibit strong traits or behaviors that signal good genetics or resources. Thus, the nature of competition in polygyny is primarily male-to-male, where males often display dominance or attractive qualities to win the attention of females, rather than females competing outright for mating opportunities. This understanding of mating dynamics and roles helps clarify why the selected answer does not reflect a characteristic of polygyny.