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Surprised that females aren't wanting to pair and mate with the most desirable males, and why social behaviors that offer some protection are lacking -- female
by tux1968 6y ago
Surprised that females aren't wanting to pair and mate with the most desirable males, and why social behaviors that offer some protection are lacking -- female dolphins must have an instinct for reproduction too. If these male dolphins are desirable, why do they need to force themselves? Why wouldn't a female be open to it? If they are not desirable, then evolutionarily speaking, wont this lead to very poor results.
- ralph84 6y agoFrom an evolutionary perspective, a desirable male is one whose genes will produce offspring with the best chance of reproductive success. Everything else is secondary. The sexy son hypothesis[0]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexy_son_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexy_son_hypothesis
- dgb23 6y agoEvolution does not have a strategy. It might very well be that this mating concept will be unsustainable in the future. Or it might be that it doesn’t do enough harm, so there isn’t enough pressure for to lose out. Extreme example: there are plenty of unsustainable human behaviors that are the norm right now.
- tux1968 6y agoUnderstood. The thing that leaves me curious though, is why the females seem so reluctant in general -- enough to make forced insemination the norm. Even though being a parent is very expensive, where is their reproductive impulse? I guess it just isn't needed or ever selected for if reproduction happens without it.