The role of intrasexual competition on the evolution of male-male courtship display: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence of male-male courtship display is widespread across the animal kingdom. Yet, its function and evolutionary origin remain unclear. Here, we hypothesise that male-male courtship display evolved in response to selection pressure exerted by intrasexual competition during male-female courtship interactions. Intrasexual competition can be caused by bystander male pressure through eavesdropping and exploiting on displayer male's courtship interactions with females. This bystander pressure can lead to an audience effect by the displayer, who will change their courtship behaviour in the presence of bystanders and display directly towards them, even in the absence of females, as an intimidation strategy. In species where this selection pressure has taken place, we predict

SUBMITTER: Orfao I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9899439 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature