Sexual selection plays a crucial role in species evolution from "summary" of The Red Queen by Matt Ridley
Sexual selection is not just a sideshow in the drama of evolution; it is a crucial driver of species change. While natural selection may be the force that drives organisms to be more efficient in their environment, sexual selection is the force that drives them to be more attractive to potential mates. This emphasis on attractiveness leads to the evolution of traits that may not necessarily increase an individual's chances of survival, but greatly increase their chances of reproductive success. The peacock's tail is a classic example of a trait that has evolved through sexual selection. The extravagant display of feathers may be cumbersome and make the bird more vulnerable to predators, but it also serves as a signal to females of the peacock's genetic quality. By choosing to mate with peacocks with the most impressive tails, females are inadvertently selecting for genes that code for these elaborate traits. Over time, this ca...
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