• Organisms belong to the?same species?if they interbreed in their natural habitat to produce?fertile offspring
• The process of successful interbreeding or mating is preceded by some form of courtship behaviour
• Courtship?in animals is a behaviour that eventually results in mating and reproduction
• It can be a very simple process that involves a small number of visual, chemical or auditory stimuli
• It can also be a highly complex sequence of acts by two or more individuals, which are using several modes of communication
  • Many birds of paradise have intricate and impressive courtship rituals

   

• Courtship can play a major role in?species recognition

Courtship Behaviour in?Drosophila

• There are several different species of fruit fly within the genus?Drosophila
• It is extremely difficult to tell the different species apart from one another by their physical appearance
• However, the?different species?of fruit fly have?different courtship rituals?which aid?species recognition
• Before mating the male fruit fly performs a dance: he vibrates his wings, alters his body position and licks the female
• This sequence of events performed by the male is controlled by several genes and is?specific to each species
• A female will not respond to or mate with a male that displays an incorrect courtship dance
• Females also have certain actions that she goes through to tell the male she is not interested which is understood by the male

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