Intrasexual competition can lead to the evolution of exaggerated traits from "summary" of The Red Queen by Matt Ridley
In the wild, competition between members of the same sex for access to the opposite sex is intense and unrelenting. This intrasexual competition can drive the evolution of exaggerated traits in males, such as the peacock's extravagant tail or the stag's imposing antlers. These exaggerated traits serve as signals of genetic quality to potential mates, indicating that the male possesses desirable traits that will benefit his offspring. The evolution of such exaggerated traits is a result of a positive feedback loop. As males compete with each other for reproductive opportunities, those with the most exaggerated traits are more successful in attracting mates. This success leads to greater reproductive success, passing on the genes responsible for the exaggerated traits to the next generation. Over time, this process can lead to the amplification of these...
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