Sexual Selection Collection

Peacock - feather from tail train
PM-10516 Peacock - feather from tail train Pavo cristatus Pat Morris Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

A male Argus Pheasant, or Great Argus, displaying his wing and tail feathers before a female, London Zoo
3435344 A male Argus Pheasant, or Great Argus, displaying his wing and tail feathers before a female, London Zoo, January 1926 (b/w photo) by Bond

Entomological Specimens from the Wallace Collection
Display showing differences in colouring between male and female butterflies of the same species. Wallace believed that males fight to compete for females but that female choice was not a factor

Argus Pheasant feather
Argus secondary wing feathers showing ocelli. See also Fig 56. Page 143 Vol II of Charles Darwin " The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex" 1871

1835 Maneless Indian Lion by Edward Lear
Plate 24 from Volume 1 Trans. Zool. Soc. London, 1835, " Some Account of the maneless Lion of Guzerat" with contemporary hand colouring as issued

Peacock Pavo cristatus displaying tail
Male peacock, Pavo cristatus, displaying his ocellated tail feathers. The peacocks tail, cumbersome and expensive to produce, required an explanation under Darwins theory of natural selection

Four British Paleolithic handaxes
Four pointed British paleolithic (Mode 2 acheulian) handaxes. These were made from flint (silex) by Homo Heidelbergensis between approximately 400, 000 and 100, 000 years ago

Argus feather and Darwin illustration
Composite photograph of Argus secondary wing feather left and right Fig 56. Page 143 Vol II of Charles Darwin " The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex" 1871

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"Unveiling Nature's Seductive Symphony: The Fascinating World of Sexual Selection" In the animal kingdom, allure takes on extraordinary forms. From the resplendent peacock with its mesmerizing feathered tail train to the peculiar proboscis monkey flaunting its elongated nose, sexual selection weaves a captivating tale of evolutionary beauty. A snapshot frozen in time reveals a male Argus Pheasant at London Zoo in 1926, proudly displaying his magnificent wing and tail feathers before an intrigued female. This monochromatic image transports us back to an era where courtship rituals were observed with awe and wonder. Delicate entomological specimens from the Wallace Collection remind us that even insects partake in this intricate dance. Their vibrant colors and elaborate patterns serve as nature's love letters written on fragile wings. The enchanting proboscis monkey captures our attention once again, reminding us that attraction can be found within uniqueness. Its distinctive feature acts as a symbol of individuality amidst a sea of ordinary faces. An ethereal Argus Pheasant feather delicately juxtaposed against Darwin's timeless illustration evokes thoughts about how these remarkable displays have evolved over time, and is through such adaptations that species continue to captivate mates and ensure their genetic legacy lives on. Traveling further back in history, four British Paleolithic handaxes whisper tales of early human fascination with aesthetics. These ancient tools hint at our ancestors' appreciation for beauty long before art became defined by brushstrokes or chisel marks. Finally, we return full circle to the majestic peacock—Pavo cristatus—its iridescent plumage unfurled like a grand fanfare announcing its presence. With each display of its tail feathers, it tells a story older than time itself—a story woven into the fabric of life itself—the story of sexual selection. In this symphony orchestrated by Mother Nature herself, creatures great and small engage in a dance of attraction.