In what type of residence pattern do males compete heavily for access to females?

In a single-male residence pattern, males compete heavily for access to females primarily because typically only one male has exclusive breeding rights to a particular group of females. This competition can manifest in various forms, such as physical confrontations, displays of strength or dominance, and other behavioral strategies aimed at establishing or maintaining control over the mating opportunities with females in the group.

This residence pattern is often observed in species where males can control access to resources that are important for attracting mates, such as food or territory. As a result, the intensity of competition increases substantially, as only one male is afforded the chance to mate with the females in that territory, leading to significant reproductive stakes for all competing males.

In contrast, monogamous patterns involve pairs that mate exclusively with each other, which reduces competition among males. Multi-male systems or polyandrous arrangements can also lead to different dynamics in mating competition, where multiple males share access to females, thus lessening the singular focus seen in single-male systems. This is why the single-male residence pattern is characterized by heightened competition among males for female access.