1. Dr. Tatiana’s Gilbert the Peacock AndFriends SexAdvice Sex Advice

2. Gilbert the Peacock Dear Dr. Tatiana, I have a lousy tail. It’s not colorful, my eyespots are pathetic, and hens don’t even notice me when I put it up. What should I do? - Gilbert the Peacock

3. Dr. Tatiana’s Advice Join A Gang … Like Your Friends Bluehead Wrasse (Coral Reef Fish) Males team up to chase a large male from territory Female arrives… all young males spawn her

4. Dr. Tatiana’s Advice Join a Gang … Like Your Friends Sea Lions Biggest male guards harems and chases young males away Groups will rush the beach, break up harems, and mate with females Group resting after a successful rush

5. Gilbert’s Solution Join a Lek (group of peacocks) Female peacocks want nothing from males but their sperm Leks are organized so females can choose who they want to have sex with Doesn’t cost her anything, tough on males

6. Gilbert’s Friends What some females find sexy… Cyrtocara Eucisnostomus (specific fish) Males judged on tallest sandcastles Takes nearly two weeks to build * Fish grows to about four inches, while tallest sandcastles can be built as long as 40 inches (underwater)

7. Gilbert’s Friends What some females find sexy… Hammer Headed Bat (West Africa) Females prefer bats who can honk loudest During breeding season, males honk for hours to get attention * Voice box occupies more than half the body cavity

8. So Why A Lek? 1 st Reason Females are attracted to groups rather than males all by themselves The larger the lek, the more attractive to the female (so size matters) Peacock leks have room for those who lack sex appeal (so Gilbert has a chance)

9. So Why A Lek? 2 nd Reason Find brothers and half brothers to lek with Even if Gilbert never finds a mate, he helps attract mates by being there (taking one for the team) Since Gilbert and his brothers share genes, he passes on his genes by helping them pass on theirs

10. Peacock Brotherhood Peacock brotherhood recognizes it own when forming leks Secret Society for peacocks Gilbert’s Lek

11. Fraternal Cooperation Lions are most famous example of fraternal cooperation Lionesses live in family groups and rear cubs in joint litters (lucky males) Larger coalition of lions, longer they hold on to a pride More male cubs = longer future for coalitions

12. Fraternal Cooperation Lionesses have evolved… When a female gives birth to a large litter, there are typically more males born When several females give birth in a pride simultaneously, cubs predominately male

13. Lion Coalition Circle of Life

14. THE END