Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice
Published on: March 5, 2020
Strong, silent types: the rapid, adaptive disappearance of a sexual signal
1Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Tremough Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK. a.j.bretman@exeter.ac.uk
Abstract:
To see evolution in action, it helps to be in the right place at the right time. In a recent study, Zuk et al. document the rapid evolution of a sexual signal in crickets on a Hawaiian island and suggest that it is a response to parasitism. A new male morph has appeared that cannot sing, and so does not attract an acoustically orientating parasite. The disadvantage of this, however, is that silent males might not be able to attract mates. The authors suggest that plasticity in male aggregating behaviour can provide an escape from the costs of this potentially maladaptive trait.
Related Concept Videos
Frequency-dependent Selection
Types of Selection
Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...
Mate Choice
Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Latency
The latency period is not considered...

