charles darwin thought that sexual selection, or competition within a species for mates explains many of the differences between sexes. behaviour, such as male-to-male combat and female choice of males is a kind of secondary sex characteristic. many 'ornaments' such brighter plumage, colouration, and other features have no immediate function except to improve the male's chances of being selected by females for breeding. weapons such as antlers may serve both as defence against predators, and as status symbols advertising health and fitness.