Jamal Awil

← Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle

Big weapons help males defend female-visited resources. [fact]

Males in many animals, such as these flies, fight over restricted, economically defensible resources visited by females. In these situations, big weapons are often beneficial. Above: Stalk-eyed flies defend hanging rootlets on which females roost. Below: Antlered flies defend egg-laying holes in the bark of fallen trees.

Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evoluti…, loc. 960