Evolution of mating essay Charles Darwin formalized the evolution of mating many years ago. According to Darwin, mating involves numerous selection processes to reproduce viable offspring. Animals assess their mates as they look for ‘good genes’ to transfer to the next generation. Different scholars have supported Darwin’s notion of sexual selection. For instance, Adam Jones a Texas biologist beliefs female selection of potential mating partners depends on the genetic fitness of a male to increase chances of offspring survival. This explains why peahen submits to specific colored peacocks than others (Castagnone-Sereno,& Danchin, 2014, p. 1325). The podcast has provided me with an impressive opportunity to learn about the evolution of mating. I was particularly amused when I realized that the sharks invented copulation. I can now appreciate how natural selection has played a significant role in influencing specific traits in the animal. I was also surprised to see how a male shark bites the female pectoral fin (the fin located behind the gill) and arches in a way that allows the male claspers to come into contact with the female genital. Basically, after communicating its intention to a receptive female, the male shark flexes one of the claspers and inserts it into the female cloaca allowing him to deposit sperms (Harrison et al., 2014). Sexual reproduction has proven to be the best strategy that permits the combination of varied genes that allows the offspring to be more flexible and adaptable to changes in the environment. Before the evolution of sex, reproduction was asexual. Asexual offspring are genetically identical to the parent. Becks & Agrawal (2012) highlighted that asexual reproduction is efficient in transferring identical genes to the offspring without the need for a male. I was particularly amused by the fact that a single female has the potential to establish a new population that has identical genes in a very short duration. Although asexual reproduction is effective in transferring identical genes, species in this category cannot be flexible to changes in the environment (Park, Jokela, & Michalakis, 2010, p.1016). Asexual offsprings have similar genetic makeup which means they share the same genetic weak point. A population sharing the same genetic weak point can be eliminated by the same disease. For instance, if a virus attacks a population sharing similar genetic weak points, the entire population can be eliminated in a very short period ( Miller, 2001). We have learned different concepts in class which was reflected in the podcast. For instance, Darwin’s theory of sexual selection was reflected in the selection of mating partners in sharks. According to Mostowy & Engelstädter (2012), Darwin maintains that they are specific ‘good traits’ individuals have over others(p. 2037). Males exhibit certain ornate features that attract female mates. These features were reflected by the brightly colored peacock. In summary, this podcast has provided me with an impressive learning opportunity about the origin of copulation. Sexual reproduction allows offspring to bear varied genetic makeup thus increasing chances of adaptability to changes in the environment. Discussion board post The large size of the liger is due to the unequal genetic expression of the cross-breed