Presentation Details
| Male mate choice, female competition, and female ornaments Ingo Schlupp. University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA |
Abstract
In many species female choice and male competition are well established as important drivers of evolution. However, although males of many species also choose their mates, and females compete over mating opportunities, the evolutionary consequences of this are less well understood. I will address some of the issues and discuss the origin and maintenance of male mate choice using several examples. For example, male mate choice for a direct fecundity benefit is relatively well documented, while other avenues for male mate choice such as differences in female quality, sex ratios, and compatibility are less well understood. One interesting phenomenon in the general context is ornamentation in females. Are female ornaments such as coloration or song in female birds a byproduct of the evolution of male ornaments or can they evolve under male mate choice? What are adaptive circumstances for males to be choosy and females to compete? In addition to examples of male choice and female competition and their consequences, I will reflect on the concept of sex roles and potential problems with it.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.