The evolution and uses of adaptations in the animal kingdom: Mate Attraction

Throughout the animal kingdom there is endless possibility for the form and structure that a species can take. Within any species this form never remains static, with each individual in the population being slightly physiologically different, in some way, to its parents and its siblings. These changes can vary immensely, from small differences that have little to no impact on the ability for the individual to function, survive, and ultimately pass on its genes to the next generation, to large differences which can either lead to large positive or negative effects on the fitness of the individual.

Over time, positive physiological differences between parent and offspring can become exacerbated over generations, eventually becoming adaptive structures that increase the overall fitness of the species. These structures develop depending on the external, environmental and sexual stresses that are existing at the time for that particular species.

Specialised structures can evolve for many purposes, including defence, offence, mate attraction, as well as many others. These structures can be hidden, or visually spectacular, depending on their origins and purposes.
Some of the most spectacular adaptations can be seen when evolved for mate attraction. Examples of this are seen in the Birds of Paradise, where the males have developed extremely intricate and elaborate displays in order to impress the females.

Luke Fryer 2013, YouTube, 16th March 2014 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7QZnwKqopo>

An Overview of Adaptation

Adaptation, defined most simply, is the process by which a plant or animal species becomes favourably fitted to a particular environment. This is normally initiated by external environmental challenges, is driven by natural selection, and is the result of changes in heritable variations within the species. There are many ways in which an organism can adapt including genetic, behavioural, physiological and reproductive adaptation. This ability to adapt enables even the smallest organisms to better exploit the environments they inhabit and in turn increase the fitness of their species.


Many examples of adaptation are seen through speciation events, where each new species must adapt in order to occupy a different environmental position, better known as its niche. One of the most well known examples of adaptation to occupy new niches is in Darwins Finches, where various species of finches adapted different beak sizes, which in turn allowed them to feed on different sized fruit, reducing competition between the species.

"Darwins Finches", accessed 9th March 2014 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin's_finches>

Although Darwins Finches are one of the better known examples of adaptation through natural selection, there are examples of adaptations that can be seen in any species still occurring today. By studying these adaptive changes in extant species, as well as in extinct species through the use of fossils, we are able to both describe how organisms have changed over time and model how they may change in response to challenges in the future.