(Emphasis mine)
That’s one of those points which bypasses so many people. Negatives are weeded out. Neutral factors aren’t affected, including traits which formerly were beneficial but now have no effect don’t disappear because they aren’t a negative. Traits don’t appear in order to solve problems or create advancement. Can’t even guess how many discussions I’ve had with students on this.
And yes, I agree with your other point. Seems like the potential for injury with physical “locks” or “ties” should be a selection pressure.
Ok @caryl and @cmills I truly have no idea what you guys are saying! All I basically meant was that this was a “tough lock”! Literally! . The rest of this is Wwwaaaayyyy over my head!!!
The benefits to staying stuck to ensure fertilization must pass on enough robust fitness genes to avoid the lock being seen as a selection pressure, I guess, but darn to an outside observer in sure seems like its a weird route to take
I mean you’re totally right! We were just saying that its interesting in nature for a mating method that can result in damage or death to both partners to be so common, considering reproductive injury or death means no more babies
Truffles had her pre-lay shed today. She’s been feeding well throughout, so I offered her one final large snack/light meal before she lays. She happily took it. Fwiw, her mother always ate well too, and never had any troubles with her clutches. Hoping Truffles inherited that!
Not sure what to make of this, but Linette has produced what may be her pre-lay shed. It’s only Day 34 post-lock. She’s been refusing ever offering of food since 10 April. It’s hard to tell if she’s blue, and it was a bit early, so I wasn’t sure until a week or so ago. I’d tried several sizes. Tonight I have given her a hopper this evening and am leaving her alone for a couple of hours. She sometimes prefers to eat in privacy. Hoping she’ll take this offering. Didn’t take picture yet.
Truffles and Twist are doing fine, both super chonky and clearly gravid. Purple Wonder is feeding well. I think she’s likely gravid also. Jubilee is blue for a pre-lay shed. I’m actually wondering about one other female, too. I’d put Talma and Basilius together a number of times. I never saw any evidence of a lock, but she’s getting that squishy feeling. Guess time will tell.
Linette did eat the hopper last night! Not a big meal, but it should provide some additional nutrients in the final days before laying. It was dusted with calcium/D3, too.
Took some pics. She is looking gravid. She’s currently in her nest box. The lighting isn’t great in a couple of these, but she’s still pretty, and pretty plump. While looking her over today, I discovered that she has a red freckle! Never noticed it before.
Heck, yeah!! Gonna get rich fer shur! I’ve even got a mate for her. He’s a RF Snow with a red dot. His RF Snow sister has two red specks. That’s a breeding trio, right?
And maybe a bit of tantalizing, also. Here’s Jubilee, freshly pre-lay shed. It was only Day 25 post-lock, but I’m assuming she’ll be laying soon. She devoured the mouse I offered.
. The rest of this is Wwwaaaayyyy over my head!!! 
And yet, I’m laughing ! 
