PCB 4674 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Descendents, Cucumber Beetle, Spermatophore
21 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Female preference and male displays can be self-reinforcing. The sons of these fast-stroking males had their sperm accepted by females at over twice the rate as sons of slow-strokeing males: choosy females may have preexisting sensory bias. Idea of optimal preference that confers on females maximum survival and fecundity. Collapses the equilibrium line into a sinle point. Females use their sensory organs and nervous systems for many other purposes than just discriminating among potential mates. Selection for things like finding food, avoiding predators may result in a sensory bias that makes females particularly responsive to certain cues. This pattern of responsiveness can select on males to display those cues. Preexisting bias (or sensory exploitation) hypothesis holds that female preferences evolve first and that male mating displays follow. Simple eyes that can detect light, but not images. Rely much more hevily on smell and touch.
