Holy grail of evolution the ‘final frontier’

Nov 10, 2005

The science of sex and evolutionary biology was abuzz on campus yesterday (Wednesday 9 November) when the University of Wollongong’s Faculty of Science presented the final Frontiers in Science lecture for 2005.

Professor Mats Olsson discussed the sacred nature of sex in relation to different species and pondered how and why sex evolved and what consequences it has for male and female partner preferences and conflicts.

Professor Olsson is a Professor of Evolutionary Ecology and his research interests have raised a number of interesting questions relating to the evolution of species. How fast can evolution proceed in the wild? Are new species evolving while we are watching? Do females use immunological cues for selecting partners that increase the disease resistance and viability of their offspring?

Professor Olsson also discussed the importance and value of sperm which may appear tiny and cheap but are worth a fortune when converted into offspring.

“In evolutionary terms, it’s a good idea to keep a rough count on how many sperm are being transferred and how much there is left, especially when partners may also be mating with other rivals,” he said.

“You cannot deny it – sex is really interesting and does have its consequences. In evolutionary biology we tend to view its effects at two principally different times – before and after copulation.

“Selection in relation to sex before copulation can have some dramatic effects on the evolution of male appearance, simply because males that do not meet some specific female standard will go without it.”

'Frontiers in Science' is a series of free public lectures given by UOW academics each year in the Faculty of Science who are world leaders in their respective research areas. Topics from this year’s lectures included the drying out of Australia, sun baking in Antarctica, weighing molecules and seeing how proteins shape up and the salinity of the Australian landscape.

*Watch this space for information on next year's lectures.