Inferred Attractiveness: A generalized mechanism for sexual selection that can maintain variation in traits and preferences over time.

ABSTRACT: Sexual selection by mate choice is a powerful force that can lead to evolutionary change, and models of why females choose particular mates are central to understanding its effects. Predominant mate choice theories assume preferences are determined solely by genetic inheritance, an assumption still lacking widespread support. Moreover, preferences often vary among individuals or populations, fail to correspond with conspicuous male traits, or change with context, patterns not predicted by dominant models. Here, we propose a new model that explains this mate choice complexity with one general hypothesized mechanism, "Inferred Attractiveness." In this model, females acquire mating preferences by observing others' choices and use context-dependent information to infer which traits are attract

SUBMITTER: DuVal EH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10547189 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature