Ornaments in the Diptera
Abstract
Occasionally, flies bear sexually dimorphic structures (ornaments) that are used, or are presumed to be used, in courtships or in aggressive interactions with sexual rivals. These are reviewed, beginning with projections from the head, continuing through elaborations of the legs and finishing with gigantism of the genitalia. Several functions for ornaments are considered, including advertisement of genetic properties, subversion of female mate choice and “runaway” sexual selection. Neither the type of ornament nor the degree of elaboration necessarily indicates which of the above processes is responsible for a particular ornament. Resource distribution and the resulting possibilities for resource defense and mate choice explain the occurrence of ornaments in some species. The phyletic distribution of ornaments may reflect foraging behaviors and the type of substrates upon which courtships occur.Downloads
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