"The Ant and the Peacock" delves into the complexities of evolutionary biology, particularly focusing on the concepts of altruism and sexual selection, as initially proposed by Charles Darwin. The book critically examines why certain self-sacrificing behaviors, like those observed in ants, can evolve, and how extravagant traits in organisms, such as the peacock's elaborate tail, can be favored by natural selection. Through a detailed analysis of these paradoxical aspects of nature, the work explores the underlying genetic and evolutionary mechanisms, emphasizing the role of gene-centered interpretations of evolution in resolving these longstanding biological conundrums.

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