A selectivity theory is proposed to help explain how one gender of a species might tend to evolve with greater variability than the other gender. Briefly, the theory says that if one sex is relatively selective, then more variable subpopulations of the opposite sex will tend to prevail over those with lesser variability; and conversely, if one sex is relatively non-selective, then less variable subpopulations of the opposite sex will tend to prevail over those with greater variability. This theory makes no assumptions about differences in means between the sexes, nor does it presume that one sex is selective and the other non-selective. Two mathematical models are presented: a statistical analysis using normally distributed fitness values, and a deterministic analysis using a standard system of coupled ordinary differential equations with exponentially distributed fitness levels. The theory is applied to the classical greater male variability hypothesis.
🔖 [1703.04184v2] A Theory for Gender Differences in Variability by Theodore P. Hill and Sergei Tabachnikov
Published by
Greater male variableness is a result of only-males having a Y-chromosome. The function of the Y is to create more variation in males and hence speed evolution. Without the Y, evolution would proceed only by favorable mutations. Since females are the reproduction bottleneck, their genome has to be stable. Variation through mutation of the Y can produce a large number of unfavorable mutations and still have no effect on reproduction rates. In short, males mutate and females pick the winners. Sex was natures invention to speed up evolution. Sure the math is interesting but the underlying cause is more interesting to me.