Male reproductive physiology as a sexually selected handicap? Erectile dysfunction is correlated with general health and health prognosis and may have evolved as a marker of poor phenotypic quality.

Abstract excerpt

Many extravagant physical traits are selected because they are used as cues for mate choice (sexual selection). Why is mate choice driven by costly ornaments? A theory of sexual selection posits that extravagant traits are preferred because are reliable indicators of superior (heritable) phenotypic quality. In particular, the preferred traits can be expressed only in individuals with superior conditions because...

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