Sexual conflict between males and females can lead to changes in the shape of their genitals, according to research on burying beetles by scientists at the University of Exeter.
The study, published in the journal Evolution, provides new evidence that conflict over how often mating takes place can lead to males evolving longer penis-like organs and females larger 'claws' on their genitalia, within ten generations.
Genital shape varies enormously across the animal kingdom compared, for instance, to body shape. One reason for this may be that the shapes of male and female genitalia co-evolve as a result of sexual conflict. Dr Megan Head, one of the authors of the new study said: "It takes two to tango, so when changes in shape in one sex leads to corresponding changes in the other sex this is known as co-evolution."
Mixed results: males have longer penises, females have claws on their vaginas. Which part of that is bad is left as an exercise for the reader.
Selection on an antagonistic behavioral trait can drive rapid genital coevolution in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides (open, DOI: 10.1111/evo.12938)
(Score: 3, Funny) by jdavidb on Tuesday May 24 2016, @01:03AM
ⓋⒶ☮✝🕊 Secession is the right of all sentient beings
(Score: 2) by choose another one on Tuesday May 24 2016, @09:12AM
Hmmm, you mean like: *smack* see honey, sexual *smack* conflict *smack* _does_ cause *smack* genitals to change shape *smack*
(Score: 2) by jdavidb on Tuesday May 24 2016, @12:47PM
ⓋⒶ☮✝🕊 Secession is the right of all sentient beings
(Score: 2) by krishnoid on Tuesday May 24 2016, @01:08AM
Which part of that is bad is left as an exercise for the reader.
The movie [rogerebert.com], probably.
(Score: 2) by fishybell on Tuesday May 24 2016, @01:24AM
My thoughts are the galgamex [youtube.com]. We must never forget them.
(Score: 1) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Tuesday May 24 2016, @01:24AM
So I have been putting off fixing my "normal" computer, and as such have things like Javascript enabled.
That website pushed the load average on my computer up to 9. I had to switch to the text console to kill the browser.
(Score: 2) by ilPapa on Tuesday May 24 2016, @01:08AM
I knew it.
You are still welcome on my lawn.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Tork on Tuesday May 24 2016, @01:50AM
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 4, Touché) by ilPapa on Tuesday May 24 2016, @02:16AM
I'm saving myself.
You are still welcome on my lawn.
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Tuesday May 24 2016, @03:56PM
Unless you're a praying mantis, why?
OK, in case you're earnest, there's part of "saving yourself" that does make sense. In the realm of physical intimacy there is truly nothing that is as meaningful as doing that with someone you love and respect as a person. It's validating to you as a being to bring that much happiness and contentment to another being you truly care about.
But there is also such a thing as context, and in learning what you like about another person on a physical and emotional level. You can't really know that until you have explored and experienced. If you save yourself to the exclusion of all others, and then make a profound commitment to another person in the form of marriage or children, only to find out that you really, really need something that your partner will not provide, then you have done everyone, including yourself, a profound disservice.
Sow your wild oats. Revel in the animal side of your existence that will always be with you, and either underpin or undermine your logical mind, and learn what you personally need to be a whole person, self-possessed, content, and additive to humanity.
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 24 2016, @06:08PM
nothing you really need
Seriously, what? Bukkake? Felching? Gerbils? Hot grits? Furry stuff? Coprophagia?
Get over yourself. Put marriage first so that you don't wind up lonely and diseased.
And what if you do try out a few, then decide that you moved on from the best you ever had? What then? You can't go back; people move on. Now you're stuck forever wishing you had stayed with somebody who has now moved on and gotten married and had six kids. You can cry into your beer for the rest of your life and nothing will bring that person back. It'd have been better to never know.
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Wednesday May 25 2016, @04:11AM
It had nothing specifically to do with sex, but I recall reading an article recently that suggested that the mathematically optimal strategy for the "average" person to find the best spouse was, as I recall, to date 3-4 people, and then commit to the next person who is at least good enough to qualify as second best. The idea was that the first few partners helped establish a meaningful base for comparison so that you don't end up setting your sights too low, and then you search as best you can.
(Score: 2) by ilPapa on Tuesday May 24 2016, @06:44PM
Nah man, I'm messing with you. I've got a daughter in grad school. I've had sex at least once.
You are still welcome on my lawn.
(Score: 2) by driverless on Tuesday May 24 2016, @06:10AM
females have claws on their vaginas
They don't have claws, they have pussy trolls, like Pillowpants.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 24 2016, @06:12PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagina_dentata [wikipedia.org]
Don't believe it is real? Check the video:
http://giphy.com/gifs/horror-jorg-buttgereit-schramm-oOgvD7UxJHFHq [giphy.com]
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 24 2016, @02:59AM
Where is Runaway1962? This is right up his, um, alley! No doubt these beetles do this to abort their fetuses, since they are the spawn of Satan! Bettle Bailey. Bettleguese.
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday May 24 2016, @05:24PM
Oh, be careful now, you might be accused of flamebaiting or ad-hominem-ing him if you say things like this!!!!!!1111eleventy-one
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 2) by Bogsnoticus on Tuesday May 24 2016, @03:01AM
Lorena Bobbit caused John's genitals to change shape.
Genius by birth. Evil by choice.
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Tuesday May 24 2016, @03:15AM
She didn't use claws to do that, though.
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by looorg on Tuesday May 24 2016, @03:48AM
But it might have been serrated.
(Score: 3, Funny) by driverless on Tuesday May 24 2016, @06:12AM
Lorena Bobbit caused John's genitals to change shape.
Alexis Texas makes my genitals change shape.
(Score: 4, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 24 2016, @04:57AM
A boss wants to embarrass his secretary.
She asks him under which password he wants to encrypt his file. He answers "penis" just to watch her squrim.
Next thing he sees is his secretary doubled over on the floor. Laughing so hard she can't catch her breath.
On the computer screen: "Password rejected : Too Short".
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 24 2016, @09:51AM
females larger 'claws' on their genitalia
This sounds like a job for Rule 34! [rule34.xxx]