The Evolution of Animal Genitalia; Sex Style
Genitals are the fastest evolving organs in the animal kingdom. Rapid and divergent evolution of male genitalia represents one of the most general evolutionary patterns in animals with internal fertilization. In fact, in recent studies, it has been revealed that male genitalia evolve six times faster than limbs or dewlaps, (a fold of loose skin hanging from the neck or throat of an animal, especially that present in many cattle) explaining the large diversity seen in lizards hemipenes. Males using their penises for courtship and females controlling their own sperm body management are two reasons why genitalia evolve into such a complex shape. According to Menno Schilthuizen, a Dutch evolutionary
Genitals are the fastest evolving organs in the animal kingdom. Rapid and divergent evolution of male genitalia represents one of the most general evolutionary patterns in animals with internal fertilization. In fact, in recent studies, it has been revealed that male genitalia evolve six times faster than limbs or dewlaps, (a fold of loose skin hanging from the neck or throat of an animal, especially that present in many cattle) explaining the large diversity seen in lizards hemipenes. Males using their penises for courtship and females controlling their own sperm body management are two reasons why genitalia evolve into such a complex shape. According to Menno Schilthuizen, a Dutch evolutionary