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List Price: £25.99
Our Price: £19.76
By Scientific American Library
 Sexual selection, 2003-06-29
Why have sex ? This question is still widely debated in the scientific world and is clearly and concisely discussed by the Gould's. This is a fascinating book which offers a colourful insight into the world of sexual selection, including the role of sex itself as well as mate choice. This book is well illustrated with a wide range of interesting examples from humans to bacteria to exemplifying each point.
The main drive of any species is to reproduce and leave their genetic line in the world. There are two options available in nature, an organism can reproduce either sexually or asexually, some species are able to choose between these. Asexual organisms reproduce by clonal reproduction, they can do this by splitting into two equal halves or by "budding", this is when part of the parent splits off and grows into an identical individual, these buds vary in size. All higher vertebrates reproduce sexually. Imagine how boring the world would be without sex. For a start every member of a species would look identical, there would be no need for beautiful features in nature such as flowers, deer's antlers or a peacocks tail. The birds and whales would no longer have to serenade the females of the species with song to attract a mate and there would be no dodgy chat up lines in the pub, aren't you glad sex evolved?
I highly recommend this provocative book if you are interested in the subject of sexual selection.
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