Darwin niwraD

Darwin’s best argument for natural selection comes from what he says about sexual selection. Darwin says that the best males get to have the offspring and the weak ones do not: “A hornless stag or spurless cock would have a poor chance of leaving offspring” (90). Therefore, naturally, the male that is most adapted to the environment will be able to eat more, become bigger and healthier, and produce more offspring. With the stronger male producing more offspring the better genes and adaptations, further in the species. The lesser males produce less offspring and eventually their genetic string dies off. Darwin continues to give examples of many different kinds of animals and insects that fight for reproduction. The only way for non-dominant males to reproduce more offspring is if they adapt and grow. Using the example of stag beetles that Darwin does, the one with the smaller mandibles will not be successful in fighting against those with bigger mandibles: “…male stagbeetles often bear wounds from the huge mandibles of other males” (90). Darwin describes the battle for reproduction as war among humans. Naturally, the humans with the bigger, better army will win the war, and likewise the animals with the bigger and better adaptations will win the female.