- "Sexual selection is a mode of natural selection in which members of one biological sex choose mates of the other sex to mate with (intersexual selection), and compete with members of the same sex for access to members of the opposite sex (intrasexual selection)."
Study of how sexual preferences and competition shape reproductive behavior.
Evolutionary theory: Understanding the basic principles of evolution, natural selection, and the origin of species.
Reproductive strategies: Examining the different ways in which organisms mate, reproduce, and pass on their genes.
Sexual dimorphism: Analyzing the physical differences between males and females of a species.
Mate choice: Studying the preferences that individuals have for potential mates, and the factors that influence those preferences.
Parental investment: Examining the amount of time, resources, and energy that parents invest in their offspring, and how this affects reproductive success.
Sexual conflict: Exploring the tensions and trade-offs that arise between males and females in the pursuit of mating and reproductive opportunities.
Sexual coercion: Examining the use of force, intimidation, or deception to secure mating opportunities, and its effects on individuals and populations.
Courtship displays: Analyzing the elaborate rituals and behaviors that many animals use to attract mates and signal their fitness.
Sexual signaling: Studying the ways in which organisms communicate their reproductive intentions and quality through visual, auditory, or chemical cues.
Sexual selection in humans: Examining how the principles of sexual selection apply to human mating behavior, preferences, and mate choice.
Intrasexual selection: This form of sexual selection involves interactions between members of the same sex, such as males competing for access to females.
Intersexual selection: This form of sexual selection involves interactions between members of opposite sexes, such as females choosing mates based on certain traits.
Male-male competition: When males compete with each other for access to females, often through direct physical competition or displays of dominance.
Female choice: When females select mates based on certain traits or behaviors, such as physical attractiveness, courtship displays, or ability to provide resources.
Parental choice: When parents choose mates for their offspring, often based on the potential mate's genetic quality or ability to provide resources for the offspring.
Runaway selection: When a certain trait becomes sexually attractive to individuals of the opposite sex, and this preference for the trait becomes exaggerated over time.
Handicap principle: When a certain trait or behavior is costly to the individual, but is still preferred by the opposite sex, and thus becomes a sign of genetic quality.
Good genes hypothesis: When certain traits or behaviors are indicators of good genetic quality, such as symmetry, health, or immunity.
Sensory bias: When a certain trait or behavior becomes sexually attractive because it exploits existing sensory preferences in the opposite sex (e.g. bright colors in birds).
Kin selection: When individuals choose to mate with close relatives to increase the genetic relatedness of their offspring, thus increasing their inclusive fitness.
Sexual conflict: When there is a conflict of interest between males and females over reproductive decisions, such as females trying to avoid mating with certain males or males trying to coerce females into mating.
- "These two forms of selection mean that some individuals have greater reproductive success than others within a population."
- "For example, because they are more attractive or prefer more attractive partners to produce offspring."
- "Successful males benefit from frequent mating and monopolizing access to one or more fertile females."
- "Females can maximize the return on the energy they invest in reproduction by selecting and mating with the best males."
- "The concept was first articulated by Charles Darwin."
- "Charles Darwin wrote of a 'second agency' other than natural selection, in which competition between mate candidates could lead to speciation."
- "The theory was given a mathematical basis by Ronald Fisher in the early 20th century."
- "Sexual selection can lead males to extreme efforts to demonstrate their fitness to be chosen by females, producing sexual dimorphism in secondary sexual characteristics."
- "Depending on the species, these rules [of sexual selection] can be reversed."
- "This is caused by a positive feedback mechanism known as a Fisherian runaway."
- "Where the passing-on of the desire for a trait in one sex is as important as having the trait in the other sex in producing the runaway effect."
- "Although the sexy son hypothesis indicates that females would prefer male offspring..."
- "Fisher's principle explains why the sex ratio is most often 1:1."
- "Sexual selection is widely distributed in the animal kingdom."
- "Sexual selection is also found in plants and fungi."