The graphs in Figure show the variation in lifetime reproductive success of male versus fe...

The graphs in Figure show the variation in lifetime reproductive success of male versus female elephant seals (Le Boeuf and Reiter 1988). Note that the scales on the horizontal axes are different. Why is the variation in reproductive success so much more extreme in males than females? Draw a graph showing your hypothesis for the relationship between number of mates and reproductive success for male and female elephant seals. Why do you think male elephant seals are four times larger than females? Why aren’t males even bigger?

Figure Distributions of lifetime reproductive success in male and female elephant seals From Le Boeuf and Reiter (1988).