Reasons for ornamental dimorphism?

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Mime454

Mime454

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Do we know why male ghosts have a crooked crest, or why female orchids have a green necklace? Certainly there is some reason for it, it might be sexual selection, but these minor difference make it feel weird to apply that idea to these differences.

 
patrickfraser said:
Why do human males have a penis and females a vagina? I believe it is called "sexual" dimorphism?...No?
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That is how the males copulate with the females...those body parts, or lackthereof serve a purpose in the situations...here crests and necklaces don't seem to serve a purpose...thats why he asks "what's the point?"

 
My call: girls wear pretty necklaces to attract the guys, and males have unkempt hair bc they need a nice gurl in their life to help clean 'em up ;) ...or like Scott says, which I agree, God made em that way ;)

 
Well, I know that headgear is sexy. Thats one reason why the deer family have big antlers. They are not just for fighting. They are a signal to the others of both sexes.

 
patrickfraser said:
Why do human males have a penis and females a vagina? I believe it is called "sexual" dimorphism?...No?
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No.

Sticky said:
Well, I know that headgear is sexy. Thats one reason why the deer family have big antlers. They are not just for fighting. They are a signal to the others of both sexes.
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True. Often such ornaments come at a cost. They are honest signals of an individuals health, gene quality, etc.

 
it may be for display or just to look purty. Birds-of-paradise are extremely dimorphic. Most butterflies have different colors according to gender as well

 
patrickfraser said:
No? "Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, size, ornamentation and behavior."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_dimorphism

Sounds like it to me.
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Except which reproductive organ we have is what defines us as being male or female. if the other gender had our organ, we wouldnt be our gender anymore and they would be ours.

 
Patrick you seem irritated man. I mean isn't this a forum for a asking questions? You make it sound like he had no right asking that. And I mean come on, he made the the question pretty clear that it was about other physical differences. I agree that sexual dimorphism also pertain to the sexual organs but that obviously wasn't the point here. Seems like now you are just trying to pick fights here.

As for the original question, I would guess, for ghosts anyway, it just has to do with the females being all round thicker and more filled in. So the females get a more filled in crest. Other coloration differeances may just be the result of genetic mutation that stuck to only one sex. But i dunno just throwing out my 2 cents

 
x and y chromosomes is what defines gender, a woman can have a sex change, have a penis and be called a man legally but technically still a female, and the otherway around

 
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brancsikia339 said:
it may be for display or just to look purty. Birds-of-paradise are extremely dimorphic. Most butterflies have different colors according to gender as well
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Yah, but we know the reason for that dimorphism. Sexual selection, and the handicap principle.

Brightly colored birds are more likely to be victims of predation, the fact tht they live to sexual maturity means that their genes are definitely good to overcome this.

 
As far as colored dimorphism, can you be certain that its within the mantids vision capability? Any proof on them not being colorblind or near sighted? Pheromones are one of natures most select ways of inducing breeding but visual dimorphism between sexes Im not sure about. A green necklace, or a shield, a head crest or whatever could not only be a defense mechanism against each other and camo for others. I dont think anyting but evolution will prove out what worth they are and why their there. You cant really even base it on the males using it to state their dominance like in other animals. Insects are a completely different world to mammals and even reptiles and amphibians.

 
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Mirk said:
Patrick you seem irritated man. I mean isn't this a forum for a asking questions? You make it sound like he had no right asking that. And I mean come on, he made the the question pretty clear that it was about other physical differences. I agree that sexual dimorphism also pertain to the sexual organs but that obviously wasn't the point here. Seems like now you are just trying to pick fights here.

As for the original question, I would guess, for ghosts anyway, it just has to do with the females being all round thicker and more filled in. So the females get a more filled in crest. Other coloration differeances may just be the result of genetic mutation that stuck to only one sex. But i dunno just throwing out my 2 cents
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Pick fights? I was just passing on info. I guess my wikipedia reference is totally not applicable to this then. So be it. FYI...Your 2 cents are more irrelevant than mine. :tt2:

 
patrickfraser said:
Pick fights? I was just passing on info. I guess my wikipedia reference is totally not applicable to this then. So be it. FYI...Your 2 cents are more irrelevant than mine. :tt2:
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Remember what ever you read on wikipedia must be true.

 

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