- "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)."
The behaviors and tactics individuals use to attract, choose, and compete for mates.
Reproductive success: The measure of an organism's success in passing on its genes to the next generation, which is the ultimate goal of mating strategies.
Non-human mating systems: A review of the different mating systems and behaviors seen in non-human animals, which provide insights into the evolution of mating strategies.
Sexual selection: The process by which certain traits become more prevalent in a population because they increase an individual's chances of mating.
Parental investment: The resources that parents invest in their offspring, which can vary depending on the mating strategy and mating system.
Dominance and aggression: The role of dominance and aggression in mating strategies, particularly in species with a hierarchical social structure.
Strategic interference: The ways in which individuals can interfere with the mating attempts of others in order to increase their own chances of mating.
Mating preferences: The traits and characteristics that individuals find attractive in potential mates, and how these preferences vary between individuals and across cultures.
Courtship behaviors: The various behaviors and signals that males and females use to attract mates, and how these behaviors can differ depending on the mating system.
Sexual conflict: The conflicts of interest that can arise between males and females over mating, particularly when one sex has more to gain from mating than the other.
Human mate choice: A review of the research on human mate choice, including factors such as physical attractiveness, social status, and personality traits.
Evolutionary psychology and mate choice: An overview of the evolutionary psychological theories that attempt to explain human mate choice, including the "good genes" hypothesis and the "parental investment" theory.
Life history strategies: The way that organisms allocate resources between different life history traits, such as growth, reproduction, and survival.
Alternative reproductive strategies: The different behaviors and mating strategies that individuals can adopt when their chances of obtaining a mate through traditional means are low.
Mate guarding: The ways in which individuals can prevent their mates from mating with others, and the costs and benefits of such behavior.
Mate desertion: The circumstances under which individuals might desert their mates for a better opportunity, and the consequences of such behavior.
Intrasexual competition: This type of mating strategy involves competition between members of the same sex for access to potential mates. This can take the form of physical contests, displays of dominance or social status, or other forms of aggressive behavior.
Intersexual selection: This strategy involves attracting the attention of the opposite sex through displays of physical or behavioral traits that are considered desirable. This can include displays of wealth or social status, physical attractiveness, or other markers of fitness and attractiveness.
Parental investment: This strategy involves investing time, energy, and resources into offspring in order to increase their chances of survival and reproductive success. This can take the form of providing food, protection, or other forms of care and support.
Mate guarding: This strategy involves protecting one's mate from potential rivals or competitors. This can involve both physical and behavioral mechanisms, such as displays of dominance, aggression toward rivals, or increased attention and affection directed toward one's mate.
Cryptic female choice: This strategy involves the female selectively choosing which male will fertilize her eggs, often based on traits that are not immediately visible or obvious. This can involve a number of physiological, genetic, or behavioral cues that indicate genetic compatibility, health, or other desirable traits.
Sexual coercion: This strategy involves using force or coercion to mate with a partner against their will. This can take the form of physical violence, threats, or other forms of abuse.
Strategic pluralism: This theory suggests that individuals may adopt different mating strategies depending on a number of factors, including the social and physical environment, the availability of potential mates, and their own personal goals and desires. This can result in a range of different behaviors and mating strategies, ranging from monogamy to promiscuity, depending on the circumstances.
- "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."