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Dr. Tatiana’s . Sex Advice. Gilbert the Peacock And Friends. Gilbert the Peacock. Dear Dr. Tatiana, I have a lousy tail. It’s not colorful, my eyespots are pathetic, and hens don’t even notice me when I put it up. What should I do? - Gilbert the Peacock. Dr. Tatiana’s Advice.
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Dr. Tatiana’s SexAdvice Gilbert the Peacock And Friends
Gilbert the Peacock Dear Dr. Tatiana, I have a lousy tail. It’s not colorful, my eyespots are pathetic, and hens don’t even notice me when I put it up. What should I do? - Gilbert the Peacock
Dr. Tatiana’s Advice Join A Gang … Like Your Friends • Bluehead Wrasse (Coral Reef Fish) • Males team up to chase a large male from territory • Female arrives… all young males spawn her
Dr. Tatiana’s Advice Join a Gang … Like Your Friends • Sea Lions • Biggest male guards harems and chases young males away • Groups will rush the beach, break up harems, and mate with females Group resting after a successful rush
Gilbert’s Solution Join a Lek (group of peacocks) • Female peacocks want nothing from males but their sperm • Leks are organized so females can choose who they want to have sex with • Doesn’t cost her anything, tough on males
Gilbert’s Friends What some females find sexy… • Cyrtocara Eucisnostomus (specific fish) • Males judged on tallest sandcastles • Takes nearly two weeks to build * Fish grows to about four inches, while tallest sandcastles can be built as long as 40 inches (underwater)
Gilbert’s Friends What some females find sexy… • Hammer Headed Bat (West Africa) • Females prefer bats who can honk loudest • During breeding season, males honk for hours to get attention * Voice box occupies more than half the body cavity
So Why A Lek? 1st Reason • Females are attracted to groups rather than males all by themselves • The larger the lek, the more attractive to the female (so size matters) • Peacock leks have room for those who lack sex appeal (so Gilbert has a chance)
So Why A Lek? 2nd Reason • Find brothers and half brothers to lek with • Even if Gilbert never finds a mate, he helps attract mates by being there (taking one for the team) • Since Gilbert and his brothers share genes, he passes on his genes by helping them pass on theirs
Peacock Brotherhood • Peacock brotherhood recognizes it own when forming leks • Secret Society for peacocks Gilbert’s Lek
Fraternal Cooperation Lions are most famous example of fraternal cooperation • Lionesses live in family groups and rear cubs in joint litters (lucky males) • Larger coalition of lions, longer they hold on to a pride • More male cubs = longer future for coalitions
Fraternal Cooperation Lionesses have evolved… • When a female gives birth to a large litter, there are typically more males born • When several females give birth in a pride simultaneously, cubs predominately male
Lion Coalition Circle of Life