Sexual selection

Sexual selection is the theory that competition for mates between individuals of the same sex (typically males) drives the evolution of certain traits. Within a species, one sex (typically females) acts as a limiting resource for the other (typically males). Competition over the limiting sex results in sexual selection. It is distinct from ecological selection which is the competition for other limiting resources within the species' ecological niche.

Related Topics:
Theory - Evolution - Trait - Ecological selection - Species

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Sexual selection depends on the success of certain individuals over others of the same sex, in relation to the propagation of the species; while natural selection depends on the success of both sexes, at all ages, in relation to the general conditions of life. --Charles Darwin, 1871.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ambiguous combinations of both types of selection acting on the same traits is usually referred to as natural selection. Consistent with Charles Darwin's usage, some present-day accounts refer to natural selection as strictly ecological, and distinct from sexual. However, since sexual reproduction is natural, this is inaccurate and, further, fails to distinguish combinations of the two processes from other "natural" concepts of selection, such as of societies, or of genes.

Related Topics:
Selection - Natural selection - Of societies - Of genes

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Typically, traits held to be due to sexual selection conflict with the strict survival fitness of the individual, and this has often been considered to be somewhat paradoxical; various theories have been proposed to account for it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~