Ouch!
This is going to sting, guys – from MSNBC Livescience Despite flash, males are simple creatures Females evolve slower, but it’s because they’re more complex:
The secret to why male organisms evolve faster than their female counterparts comes down to this: Males are simple creatures.
In nearly all species, males seem to ramp up glitzier garbs, more graceful dance moves and more melodic warbles in a never-ending vie to woo the best mates. Called sexual selection, the result is typically a showy male and a plain-Jane female. Evolution speeds along in the males compared to females.
I think we should wait for this information to fade before entering into any more “where are the female bloggers” discussions. It’s the price we pay for Y chromosome.
13 comments
“Evolution speeds along in the males compared to females.”
But we’re simpler, because…?
The Y chromosome is a big reason because it means we have fewer gene pairs. It may also be the reason that certain genetic problems, hemophilia among them, are only fully expressed in males as we lack the offsetting genes that must be located on missing group of the X chromosome.
It is quite probable that there are a number of conditions where females have a one in four chance of the condition, while males have a one in three.
“Evolution speeds along in the males compared to females.”
and….
““where are the female bloggers”
Easy.
After a day at the workplace, another days-worth of housework, caring for children/elderly parents/housecritters/more-quickly-evolving males…..we’re too exhausted!
This study tends to turn the tables on the question of utility, as it seems to be saying that the major reason for all of this all-out evolution is to attract a mate, the fancy footwork, brilliant plumage, singing ability don’t seem to add much to putting food on the table. It adds credence to the view that with males it really is all about sex.
blogs are the new peacocks tails?
I seriously doubt that blogging does much for one’s selection as a suitable mate.
“blogs are the new peacocks tails?” – hipparchia
Well, mine damned surely is. You don’t think I do this to save the nation, do you? or as part of my livelihood? (Bursts into maniacal laughter.)
Oh yeah…I’m just swimming in groupies…
Well, CG, that’s because you are on two blogs 😉
It’s probably the tan we get from the monitor radiation.
oh, i get it now. 😈
Where are all the female bloggers? Ahhh….out shopping for shoes?
(Oh…sorry…that was the female Secretary of State….)
Sure, go ahead, make fun of people with missing parts.
i don’t treat my tailless cats any differently from the long-tails. i laugh at them all.
humans? i dunno. hard to say, as they’re almost all lesser beings than cats. i haven’t had the chance to find out yet, but i’d probably be equally [un]kind to both tailless and long-tailed humans.