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

• Published in: PLoS biology Vol. 21; no. 10; p. e3002269
• Main Authors: DuVal, Emily H, Fitzpatrick, Courtney L, Hobson, Elizabeth A, Servedio, Maria R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 03.10.2023; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Animal reproduction; Animals; Attraction; Biological research; Biology and Life Sciences; Biology, Experimental; Context; Female; Females; Genotype & phenotype; Humans; Hypotheses; Learning; Male; Males; Mate selection; Mating Preference, Animal; People and Places; Phenotype; Preferences; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Sexual Selection; Sexual selection in animals; Social Sciences; Variation; United States

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...