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What does "one male, one female" refer to in the context of monogamy or pair bonding?

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Final answer:

In monogamy or pair bonding, 'one male, one female' refers to a mating system where a male and a female stay together for at least one breeding season. This system can provide benefits such as ensuring mating exclusivity, increasing offspring survival, and preventing competition among offspring.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of monogamy or pair bonding, 'one male, one female' refers to a mating system where one male and one female remain coupled for at least one breeding season. This type of mating system can be observed in various animals, such as gray wolves and many bird populations. There are several explanations for the advantages of this mating system, including the mate-guarding hypothesis, male-assistance hypothesis, and female-enforcement hypothesis. These theories suggest that monogamy can help ensure mating exclusivity, increase offspring survival, and prevent competition among offspring.

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