👉 The selection weapon hypothesis posits that certain traits or behaviors evolve not because they are universally advantageous, but because they confer a selective advantage in specific contexts or environments. These "selection weapons" are often costly to produce or maintain but provide a significant benefit when faced with particular challenges, such as predation, competition, or environmental pressures. For example, the elaborate plumage of male peacocks or the complex courtship dances of some bird species are classic examples where the selection weapon is a trait that enhances mating success but incurs high energetic or predation costs. Thus, these traits persist because they improve reproductive success in the given ecological niche, even though they are not universally beneficial across all situations.
