Bigger, not always betterIn the past, it was central dogma in evolutionary biology that males in the

Bigger, not always betterIn the past, it was central dogma in evolutionary biology that males in the natural kingdom would grow up to be big and strong, and fight each other for the right to mate. Over the last few decades, this has been shown to not necessarily be the case. Sometimes in nature, being the bigger, stronger male does not always mean you get the ladies.Sometimes you can be outsmarted by the smaller ones, who use their size and strength limitation to the ultimate advantage. Scientists refer to these physically weaker males as “sneaker” or “satellite” males, and it turns out they can do just as well in the mating game as their well-endowed competition. Physical inadequacy actually gives them a competitive edge.In dung beetles, large males will defend the entrance to an underground tunnel that holds ‘his’ female, fighting off anyone that wants a piece. Sneaker males have been observed hanging back a safe distance and digging their own tunnels. Unbeknownst to the big male, these little guys decide to change course, tunnelling sharply to the side until it intersects with the larger male’s burrow. They can then mate with his female, all under the big males’ nose.The competition for cuttlefish females can be intense, and females are ‘claimed’ and guarded by large, defensive males. Smaller male ‘mimics’ don the distinctive colourings of their female conspecifics in order to sneak closer to females, even if they are under the watchful eye of a protective male. This protective male probably likes the idea of winning an extra female, and doesn’t bat an eyelash. This means the sneaky male can successfully mate with the female. Even if it means they attract the attention of other males. Because they’re pretty much taking on a transvestite appearance. But if it works, it works.These “sneaker” tactics have also been observed in salmon, damselflies, salamanders, and even Sumatran orangutans.AshSource credit: http://bit.ly/1LGTnIdSource credit: http://bit.ly/1QVY7xkImage credit: https://flic.kr/p/iGVmLaImage credit: https://flic.kr/p/p2StnF -- source link
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