What explains preferences for elaborate ornamentation in animals? The default answer remains that the prettiest males have the best genes. If mating signals predict good genes, mating preferences evolve because attractive mates yield additive genetic benefits through offspring viability, thereby maximizing chooser fitness. Across disciplines, studies claim 'good genes' without measuring mating preferences, measuring offspring viability, distinguishing between additive and nonadditive benefits, or controlling for manipulation of chooser investment. Crucially, studies continue to assert benefits to choosers purely based on signal costs to signalers. A focus on fitness outcomes for choosers suggests that 'good genes' are insufficient to explain the evolution of mate choice or of sexual ornamentation.

中文翻译：

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这与他无关：在性选择中误以为“好基因”。

是什么解释了对动物精心装饰的偏爱？默认答案仍然是最漂亮的男性拥有最好的基因。如果交配信号可预测良好的基因，则交配偏好会演变，因为有吸引力的交配会通过后代的生存能力产生附加的遗传优势，从而使选择者的适应性最大化。在各个学科中，研究声称“好基因”而没有测量交配偏好，测量后代生存力，区分加和非加收益或控制选择者投资的操纵。至关重要的是，研究继续仅仅基于发信号给发信号者的成本来断言选择者会从中受益。对选择者适应性结果的关注表明，“好的基因”不足以解释伴侣选择或性装饰的演变。