Why Might Some Traits Be More Desirable In Sexual Selection?

What is sexual selection? How does it differ between male and female? Why might some traits be more desirable in sexual selection? How does sexual dimorphism result from sexual selection? Sexual selection is the frequency of traits that change due to those traits’ attractiveness to members of the opposite sex (CITE-textbook). It is because of sexual selection that we see such a great variety amongst different organisms. A male and female organism are more likely to have different favorable traits than one another. Females choice has a very profound effect on genetically based male traits because they are limited to their reproductive output and must also face both the physical and emotional consequences after birth. They want to ensure that the male that they are investing in is of high quality (Miller, n.d.). Males are considered to be the more competitive sex because they must engage in male-male competition. If successful, male organisms will not only be able to mate with a female, but will also be able to secure their sense of dominance

Both sexual selection and sexual dimorphism explain the reason for an organism’s certain physical appearance or their certain behavioral traits. Due to sexual selection, we see the presence of such specific traits among the members of one sex and exactly how they appear to be attractive to the other (Ayala, 2016). Charles Darwin even states himself, “We are, however, here concerned only with that kind of selection, which I have called sexual selection. This depends on the advantage which certain individuals have over other individuals of the same sex and species, in exclusive relation to reproduction” (Jones & Ratterman, 2009). These advantages can range from every species alive, from even the smallest vinegar fly to a