Female control of paternity

Of the two components of sexual selection, female choice is much less obvious than male-male competition, and hence has always been considered to be of secondary importance. However, recent field observations and new theory have brought about a radical change of emphasis. It now appears that although a female's choice of who fathers her offspring often occurs in a subtle manner, it may be widespread and take place through a variety of behavioural and physiological mechanisms, including the manipulation of male behaviour and the selection of sperm within the female reproductive tract.