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Sexual Selection (Scientific American Library)
Sexual Selection - Scientific American Library Author:James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould The existence of sex is one of the great paradoxes of biology. Since thousands of plants and animals mange to multiply rampantly by asexual means, why do so many other species undergo the risky, time-consuming process of sexual recombination? For both individuals and species, the bottom line is to leave as many well-adapted offspring as possible... more ». James and Carol Gould begin 'Sexual Selection' by suggesting how reproduction through sex can give species an edge.
But to reproduce sexually, an animal must find a mate. And when the vagaries of mate choice enter the picture, the animal world takes on a carnival atmosphere. Birds, insects, and primates compete in order to obtain the best mates; some females choose males wisely, banking on superior genes or resources, while others seem to opt for the flashiest feathers, the catchiest song, or the most chic boudoir. How do animals choose their mates, and how do their mating practices affect their social systems and evolutionary success?
In 'Sexual Selection', James and Carol Gould survey the diverse mating practices of species ranging from asexual microorganisms through insects and birds to mammals, including humans. They show how widely varied mate selection strategies may account for many of the behavioral and physical differences between the two sexes. They also suggest theories of how a species' ecological niche may account for its reproductive strategies. Looking at different mating systems-monogamy, polygamy, and polyandry- the Goulds take up the question of why even closely related species may have chosen completely different systems.
Replete with fascinating examples of mating behavior, 'Sexual Selection' evaluates the most popular explanations of how animals choose their mates, how t5hey amortize the high cost of mating, and how they manage to turn an awkward system into a profit-making proposition. It also suggests why two distinct sexes with inherent conflicts of interest in the reproductive process should be nature's most stable solution to the problem of reproduction.« less