Final answer:
In the conflict over providing offspring, the inclusive fitness gains in males vs females are at stake. Males may choose larger, more fecund females to maximize their chances of producing offspring.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the conflict over how much to provide the offspring, the conflict is about the inclusive fitness gains in males versus females. In certain species, males and females have different strategies for maximizing their reproductive success. For example, in some organisms, sperm-depleted males may choose to mate with larger, more fecund females in order to increase their chances of producing offspring.
Concepts in Sexual Selection
In relation to sexual selection, the good genes hypothesis suggests that females select males with superior genetic traits, which can result in healthier offspring, despite potentially lower offspring quantity. Such traits in males might include impressive ornaments that indicate good health or high metabolism. These factors all play a crucial role in determining reproductive strategies and outcomes.