Dr. Mark Blows - Sexy Fly-Boys Studied

Studying the sex life of a fly species native to Australia?s east coast rainforests could explain why females get more of a 'buzz' from some males than others.

Dr Mark Blows is throwing light on a subject that has intrigued evolutionary scientists for decades.

'Theory suggests females prefer extreme male traits because they may indicate that those males carry genes that confer high fitness to offspring. These genetic principles apply to mate choice in all species, including humans,' said Dr Blows.

His work for the first time brings some key aspects of sexual selection together in one genetic experiment.

'We have already shown that female choice affects offspring fitness in a genetic experimental design that allowed us to estimate the genetic associations between female preference, male attractiveness and offspring fitness,' Dr Blows said.

'But the genes that make a male attractive at the same time confer lower offspring fitness. This eventually leads to a balance between sexual and natural selection, as females still choose attractive males, but very attractive males have lower offspring fitness.

'To put it another way, attractive males put so much effort into buying the red Ferrari to attract females, they have no money for the education of their kids.'

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