Not because a woman…
Scientists have found out why stupid females choose ugly males
Observations of guppy fish have shown that intelligence is necessary for the perception of beauty – stupid females are able to distinguish between beautiful and "ordinary" males, but do not give preference to the former. This is written by scientists who published an article in the journal Nature Ecology & Bloch et al., Evolution Early neurogenomic response associated with variation in guppy female mate preference).
"Choosing a partner for procreation is one of the most important decisions in the life of all females. Such considerations led us to assume that absolutely all fish will choose the most beautiful suitors. We found that certain intellectual abilities are necessary to make such a choice," said Judith Mank from University College London (in a press release, Small–brained female guppies aren't drawn to attractive males – VM).
The development of almost all multicellular living beings is controlled by two factors – natural and sexual selection. In the first case, evolution is conducted by changing environmental conditions, and in the second case, intraspecific competition for the opportunity to continue their kind. In this struggle, the most "bright" individuals win, which leads to the appearance of such useless ornaments as peacock tails or rooster combs, which do not help, but hinder survival.
The reasons for the existence of sexual selection are still a matter of debate among scientists – some biologists believe that it helps populations to be prepared for sudden changes in conditions, while others believe that such competition protects species from degeneration and supports their competitiveness in the evolutionary "arms race".
Mank and her colleagues discovered another interesting feature of sexual selection linking beauty and intelligence by observing the lives of two populations of guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata), whose brain sizes were markedly different.
By putting several dozen of their representatives in separate aquariums, scientists observed how the activity of their brain and its work at the genetic level changed at the moment when they observed potential "halves" and when they made their choice.
Guppies, as scientists note, are ideal for such experiments, since only one gene controls the size of their brain, and the coloring of males depends on the structure and activity of genes located on the "male" Y chromosome, which is entirely under the influence of sexual selection.
Experiments with these fish helped British biologists to identify two sets of neurons and genes responsible for recognizing the beauty of males and choosing a mate. Their comparison and analysis unexpectedly showed that the logic of their work differs significantly.
As scientists expected, even the stupidest females with minimal brain size were able to distinguish males with bright and "masking" coloring, which was expressed in different levels of activity of their neurons in the center of vision and in other areas of the brain. These cells worked about the same in both females.
On the other hand, this ability did not help these females to make the "right" choice in any way – they equally often chose both beautiful and nondescript males. On the other hand, individuals with large brains always preferred bright suitors, which was expressed in the appearance of a special pattern of activity in their brain, which was absent in stupid females when choosing a second half.
Such differences, as biologists note, suggest that there is a complex system of connections between sexual selection, beauty and intelligence, whose influence on the evolution of humans and other living beings has yet to be assessed, Mank and her colleagues conclude.
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