HOMOSEXUALITY IN NATURAL KINGDOM (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: A newly published study in the journal Marine Mammal Science recently confirmed the sighting described as the sexual encounter.

Homosexuality in the Natural Kingdom

• Occurrence: Homosexuality is not uncommon in the natural kingdom, as evidenced by its incidence in "over 1500 animal species."
• Diverse Range of Species: Reports of homosexuality span from tiny insects and spiders to reptiles, birds, and mammals, demonstrating its presence across a diverse range of taxa.
• Both Genders and Environments: Homosexuality has been observed in both males and females of various species, occurring in both captive and wild environments.

A Darwinian Paradox

• Nature of Genetic Markers: A 2019 study in Nature identified five genetic markers significantly associated with same-sex behavior in humans, indicating a genetic influence on sexual orientation.
• Evolutionary Theory: Charles Darwin's theory of evolution emphasizes reproduction as the ultimate goal of organisms. Same-sex behavior seemingly contradicts this principle, diverting resources away from reproduction.
• Failure of Natural Selection: According to Darwin's theory, traits that do not contribute to reproductive success should be eliminated by natural selection. However, homosexuality persists, challenging traditional evolutionary explanations.

The ‘indiscriminate mating’ hypothesis

• Ancestral mating behavior: The hypothesis suggests that ancestral animal species engaged in indiscriminate mating without regard to sex due to the simultaneous evolution of sexual behaviors and mate recognition traits.
• Unlikelihood of concurrent trait evolution: The hypothesis posits that it's improbable for traits necessary for recognizing compatible mates to have evolved precisely at the same time as sexual behaviors, leading to indiscriminate mating.