: In many species, intense competition for mates can lead to delayed maturation in the sex facing higher selection pressure. For example, in some bird populations, males mature later than females to reach a size or social status necessary for successful competition.
Maturation timing often creates (SSD), where one sex is significantly larger than the other. Maturation Observations Birds sex matures
: Individuals mature first as females and later transition to males. : In many species, intense competition for mates
Males often mature at much younger ages and smaller sizes than females. : In many species
Sexual maturation is a critical life-history trait with major fitness consequences.