Natural Selection vs Sexual Selection Flashcards
As well as traits that give someone an sexual advantage, there are traits that can give someone a…
survival advantage
What is a survival advantage?
traits that make it more likely an individual will survive long enough to reproduce
sometimes the traits that are attractive to a mate makes an individual…
less likely to survive
sexual selection can cause…
conflict
whats an example of sexual selection getting in the way of natural selection?
Peacocks - the females have bright coloured tails to attract males but the bright colours attract predators
who came up with the Handicap Principle?
Zahavi (1975)
what did Zahavi argue?
displaying a noticeable handicap to survive actually indicates survival strength
according to the handicap principle, if someone has survived with unhelpful characteristics, this means…
they have superior genes
one example of the handicap principle in humans
males have a strong, square jaw due to high levels of testosterone
what does testosterone do?
it lowers the immune system