Male thirteen-lined ground squirrels search extensively for females, who are widely distributed and receptive for only a short period during the breeding season. This species exhibits

A) female defense polygyny.
B) resource defense polygyny.
C) lek polygyny.
D) scramble competition polygyny.

Scramble Competition Polygyny

A mating system in which males compete to acquire and mate with multiple females, often through strategies that reduce direct confrontations, like rapidly locating receptive females.

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels

A North American rodent known for its distinctive pattern of thirteen longitudinal lines on its back, exhibiting complex hibernation behavior.

Breeding Season

The specific time of year when a species typically reproduces, often synchronized with environmental conditions that maximize offspring survival.