Sexual selection

The term anisogamy describes the difference between male and female gametes, such as whether they are static or mobile and the frequency at which they can be produced. Anisogamy is reflected in the two types of sexual selection:

1. Intersexual selection

'quality over quantity' - preferred by females

• when one gender makes mate choices based on preferable characteristics of the other sex
• females invest more time and energy to produce ova and are more likely to lose resources if they pick a poor mate, therefore they are 'pickier' when choosing a partner, more likely to choose a partner who is genetically fit
• for example the '**** sons' hypothesis: females will choose a male with attractive and advantageous characteristics so that her male offspring will inherit the same advantageous characteristics and therefore be successful in passing on their genetics.

2. Intrasexual selection

'quantity…