6. Sexual conflict

Abstract

The reproductive interests of males and females will almost always differ, for example over whether to mate and how often, when to produce offspring and how many, or how much to invest in each offspring. Whenever the reproductive interests of males and females differ, opposing selection on males and females to achieve their preferred outcome will generate sexually antagonistic selection. Such sexual conflict is reflected in differences in the appearance and behaviour of the sexes as each evolves to gain the advantage in a fitness ‘arms race’. ‘Sexual conflict’ explores the evolutionary consequences of these arms races in the context of sexual selection as it occurs both before and after mating.