The heritability of attractiveness

Abstract

Sexual selection is responsible for the evolution of numerous conspicuous and extravagant displays observed in nature - from cricket choruses to peacock's tails. A key assumption of many models of sexual selection is that attractive males father attractive sons1. However, while particular traits under sexual selection have been shown to be heritable [1,2], the evidence for the heritability of attractiveness per se is far less compelling [1,3]. This dearth of information has led to disagreement about the existence and importance of this fundamental link between sire and sons' attractiveness [4]. Here we demonstrate in Drosophila simulans that attractive fathers sire attractive sons, as assume..