Male Choice, Female Competition, and Female Ornaments in Sexual Selection

Charles Darwin's Sexual Selection Theory suggests that males compete and females choose. This combination of male mate choice (MMC) and female competition (FC) is often overlooked, but it is an important and intriguing phenomenon in modern sexual selection theory. This novel text reviews our current understanding of MMC and FC, highlighting the connections between them and placing them in the context of related fields. A holistic approach is provided that considers the relative roles of MMC and FC, female ornamentation, their evolutionary consequences, and their genetic basis. This book will be suitable for graduate students and researchers interested in sexual selection, as well as a broader audience of behavioural ecologists and evolutionary psychologists.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 176 pages
\n Publication date: 31 May 2021
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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When Charles Darwin first introduced the concept of Sexual Selection Theory, he proposed two fundamental mechanisms: competition among males and choice by females. While the importance of these mechanisms has been widely recognized and extensively studied, their mirror images have often been overlooked. It is crucial to acknowledge that males also engage in choice and females also participate in competition. The interplay between male mate choice (MMC) and female competition (FC) is a fascinating and significant phenomenon in modern sexual selection theory. This novel text aims to review our current understanding of MMC and FC, highlighting the crucial connections between them. It contextualizes both concepts within related fields such as female choice, mating systems, and sexual selection theory more broadly. A comprehensive approach is taken, considering all relevant elements, including the relative roles of MMC and FC, female ornamentation, their evolutionary consequences, and their genetic basis. By viewing male mate choice and female competition as two sides of the same coin, we establish a powerful paradigm for a more comprehensive understanding of sexual selection.

Male Choice, Female Competition, and Female Ornaments in Sexual Selection is designed to cater to both graduate students and researchers with an interest in sexual selection from an evolutionary, psychological, and anthropological perspective. It will also appeal to a broader audience of behavioral ecologists and evolutionary psychologists.

In conclusion, the combination of male mate choice and female competition is a fascinating and understudied aspect of sexual selection. This novel text provides a comprehensive review of our current understanding of MMC and FC, highlighting their connections and placing them within the broader context of related fields. By adopting a holistic approach, we gain a deeper appreciation of the roles of males and females in the intricate dance of sexual selection. This knowledge has important implications for our understanding of evolution, behavior, and human sexuality.

\n Weight: 550g\n
Dimension: 195 x 253 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780198818946\n \n