Evolution: Sexual Selection & Artificial Selection Diane Philip with Heather Rowan

Sexual Selection Sexual selection is actually a behavioral adaptation. Sexual selection (or mate choice) is selection based on physical characteristics that represent reproductive fitness. Example: A brightly colored tropical bird with a long tail is fitter than a camouflaged bird of the same species because it has to try twice as hard to avoid predators.

I. Sexual Selection Many traits are meant to stand for genetic or reproductive fitness Reproductive: higher voice and large hips in women, deep voice and square jaw in men, elaborate song, bright color, long tail, attractive nest, complex dance Genetic: symmetrical face

II. Artificial Selection Humans participate in a type of evolution: artificial selection. Artificial selection involves mating organisms with desirable traits to produce populations with refined set of desirable traits. We have called this selective breeding.

II. Artificial Selection