The Pros And Cons Of Sexual Selection

Since the fateful day in September 1835, when Darwin first reached the Galapagos Islands, and thereafter began theorizing natural selection, evolution has been a hot topic of debate. Most novices to evolutionary biology believe natural selection, logically, is the driving force of evolution, but what many people forget is the complementary force sexual selection. Sexual selection, as opposed to natural selection, is the passing on of traits that help an organism mate rather than just survive, avoiding environmental dangers and finding food and shelter. Some of the most iconic sexual displays in the animal kingdom include the beautiful feathers of the peahen, the massive claw of the male fiddler crab, or simply becoming the alpha male or female

Evolution, typically, favors vision over olfactory sensation, which implies that a creature will develop keener vision, while olfaction remains the same or even degenerates. With an emphasis put on visionary evolution, it is obvious that, for the most part, animals are not going to evolve in a way that allows them to detect other organisms through pheromone; because of this, it would be beneficial for an organism to stand out with chemosignals because it will allow them to mate without getting caught by predators (Jacobs, 2009). A prime example of this is the whitetail deer. Almost any hunter would attest that covering one’s self in doe urine will attract bucks; this is because, although the doe itself does not possess a fur that would attract mates, she is tan, similar to her surroundings, her urine is filled with pheromones, and this is what truly attracts a father for her young. It would; however, be inappropriate to say that animals never adapt a sense of smell adequate to detect pheromones of another species because it is true, but it occurs far less often than an animal being detected because of its appearance (Blum, 1977). Remaining inconspicuous to predators is beneficial not only to the individual, but also to the species because, without being killed, an animal has more opportunity to pass on its genes and thus

To most readers, the biggest interest in pheromones is their effects as aphrodisiacs; turning on one’s neighbor could be as easy as smelling good. Homo sapiens can pass on their genes, such as hair color, eye color, and body shape, through sexual selection, but these genes can be passed on as a secondary characteristic because of the pheromones secreted from potential mates. Not only do pheromones help humans detect potential mates, but also appropriate mates; studies have shown that gay men are more attracted the sweat produced by other gay men rather than the sweat produced by heterosexual men (Kohl, 2006). Humans are also subconsciously repulsed by the pheromones of their close relatives as nature’s way of preventing inbreeding (Pierron, 2013). In the animal kingdom, having the right smell can be the deciding factor in whether or not an animal is able to pass on their genes, the ultimate goal in nature. In human culture, having the right smell can be the deciding factor in whether not a person is able to “get some.” Pheromones could be the main factor in both of these actions, but, luckily for animals, are able to use natural musk, humans on the other hand spend obscene amounts of money on AXE cologne and Chanel #5. Because, as humans and animals know, in the end, it’s all about