Fitness in Nature: Reproduction!!

The BBC has a video of insects and their astonishing mating practices.

I've always taught my students that the fitness we describe in nature is purely meant to describe one's ability to survive long enough to reproduce to create viable offspring.

The notion that fitness has anything to do with strength, or stamina, or ability has little to do with the reality in nature that what truly matters most is that it's more important to mate to ensure the continuity of your genetic legacy than it is to be a physically strong individual.

What I also tend to teach students is that depending on the realm or the scope of what you are looking at (whether it's nature, or society, or economics) the definition for fitness also changes.  So in the instance of society, the criteria for social survival and social success is a very different metric than the natural definition for fitness and survival.

Essentially, the key to fitness in the natural world (in the absence of social and economic influences) is the ability to reproduce to form children who can ultimately do the same later on...

I thought the video was fascinating to watch.  Aggressive mimicry with the female firefly was particularly deceptive.  I certainly hope that in my encounters with the opposite gender that such behavior doesn't take place... I guess I've been lucky so far...  Or cautious enough.  :)

Enjoy!