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What is 3. Sexual Selection Theory about?

IN CHAPTER 2 we noted that sexual reproduction is typical of most insects, although it is achieved in more than one way. Despite the fact that the selective advantage of sex is not obvious, there is no doubt that its evolution has had great impact on the reproductive tactics of both males and females. The primary characteristic of males is their drive to secure mates, which leads to competition for access to females and the evolution of a host of traits associated with this struggle. Females, on the other hand, have the luxury of choosing among many potential partners; their preferences are expected to raise their genetic success and in turn exert pressure on males favoring traits considered desirable by females. Darwin's interpretation of typical male and female behavior and his "discovery" of sexual selection is the starting point for this chapter. We examine a series of questions related to the foundation of sexual selection: (1) Why are there just two sexes, which produce gametes of two different sizes? (2) Why do females more often than males exhibit parental care and other investments in their progeny? (3) Why are sex ratios near unity in most outbred species?

Publisher

Harvard University Press

Published

1983

Language

EN