A reply to John
Article Abstract:
John's (1997) criticisms of Zahavi's handicap theory are examined. John contended that it may not be appropriate to maintain a distinction between natural selection and signal selection, and to refer to signal selection as selection of inefficiency. However, it is pointed out that animals do have inefficient characteristics and that they challenge biologists to offer an explanation of the advantages of these inefficiencies. With regard to the confusion over the terms 'natural selection' and 'signal selection,' for the sake of clarity, the latter is changed to the 'selection of signals' while the former is reserved for the entire selection process.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1997
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Handicap signal selection is not selection for inefficiency
Article Abstract:
Zahavi's 1991 essay contended that Darwin's focus on sexual selection was misguided because it failed to draw equal attention to signal selection. He believed that there should be a distinction between natural selection and signal selection, and that the latter is a more encompassing selection. However, while Zahavi's handicap theory is praiseworthy, it may be misguided to accept his proposal to substitute signal selection for sexual selection because of the still unresolved issues it raises. It may not also be appropriate to call signal selection as selection for inefficiency.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1997
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A further examination of pre-existing bias favouring a sword in the genus Xiphophorus
Article Abstract:
The bias in favor of males with sworded swordtails is a common primitive character of Xiphophorus maculatus and X. variatus. The research contributes to the knowledge of the phylogenetic distribution of this female preference. It is concluded on the basis of one phylogeny for the genus that the bias in favor of a sword in X. variatus and X. maculatus is a remnant preference. The sword and bias are primitive in Xiphophorus, the sword was later lost by the forefather of the platyfish but the preference for the sword remained.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1995
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