sexual selection
Peacock tail explanation
Sexual selection is the evolutionary process by which traits develop because they increase mating success rather than survival.
Darwin distinguished it from natural selection: a peacock's elaborate tail makes it more vulnerable to predators but more attractive to peahens.
Sexual selection explains many features that seem otherwise costly or impractical—bright plumage, elaborate displays, antlers used in male combat.
The peacock's tail is the classic example of sexual selection at work.
British naturalist, species theorist
- reproductive successOffspring contribution to future generations
- fitnessGood physical shape
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
- speciationFormation of distinct species
phenotype · genotype · allele · adaptation · coevolution · selective pressure · evolutionary psychology
Seeking another's romantic favor
- copulationSexual joining of bodies
- breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- pair bondingEnduring mate attachment
monogamy · polygyny · polyandry · fertilization · mating rituals · paternity · promiscuity · hybridization
Branching cervid headgear
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- ornamentationDecorative additions to something
- courtship displayRitual to attract partners
- birdsongAvian musical vocalizations
mating dance · bowerbird · tail feathers · iridescence · visual signals · strutting · preening
Ongoing contest between opponents
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- mate guardingProtecting a pair bond
- sperm competitionMales' gametes competing for fertilization
territory · aggression · alpha · hierarchy · exclusion · contest · physical prowess · weaponry
Pleasing quality that draws
- assortative matingPairing by shared traits
- beauty standardsCultural criteria for attractiveness
Darwin
British naturalist, species theorist
- reproductive successOffspring contribution to future generations
- fitnessGood physical shape
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
speciation · phenotype · genotype · allele · adaptation · coevolution · selective pressure · evolutionary psychology
courtship
Seeking another's romantic favor
- copulationSexual joining of bodies
- breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
- reproductionCopying or procreation
pair bonding · monogamy · polygyny · polyandry · fertilization · mating rituals · paternity · promiscuity · hybridization
antlers
Branching cervid headgear
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- ornamentationDecorative additions to something
- courtship displayRitual to attract partners
birdsong · mating dance · bowerbird · tail feathers · iridescence · visual signals · strutting · preening
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- mate guardingProtecting a pair bond
sperm competition · territory · aggression · alpha · hierarchy · exclusion · contest · physical prowess · weaponry · intimidation
attractiveness
Pleasing quality that draws
- assortative matingPairing by shared traits
- beauty standardsCultural criteria for attractiveness
- evolutionevolution, mutation, adaptation, speciation, fitness
- Biology HistoryDarwin, Mendel, evolution, cell theory, germ theory
- DarwinCharles Darwin, evolution, HMS Beagle, Galapagos, Darwin's finches
- mating traitscourtship, plumage, antlers, ornamentation, display
- Sociobiologysociobiology, altruism, mating strategies, reproductive success, selfish gene
- speciationchromosome doubling, cospeciation
sexual, selection, pansexual, sexuality, bisexual, asexual, sexually, nonsexual, intersexuality