Concept:Courtship consists of behavioural signals that help animals select the correct mate, become ready to mate, and ensure successful fertilization; it is not meant for defending territory.
Explanation:Courtship displays enable an animal to identify and attract a partner of the correct species, so option A is a real importance.
These displays also stimulate both the male and the female, raising their readiness to mate, so option B is correct.
In many species, courtship timing is linked to the female's ovulation period, which increases the chance of fertilization, so option D is correct.
Protecting territory is a separate territorial behaviour used to keep rivals away, not a function of courtship.
Therefore, the exception among the given options is the protection of territory.
Answer:C. protection of territory