Toward an integrated understanding of animal weapons
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Animals resolve conflict using an astonishing array of weapons—from electric fields and sonic shock waves to deadly venom and high-impact strikes. Yet, most weapon research has been narrowly focused, for example, only considering mechanical weapons under sexual selection. Furthermore, few studies have examined how weapons are integrated into animal phenotypes. For these reasons, it is not surprising that major questions remain about why weapons have evolved such extraordinary diversity in form and function. By synthesizing insights across weapon modalities and research traditions, we identify key themes for future research on animal weapons and discuss several ways in which research into animal weapons can provide broad insights into evolutionary processes.
Date Issued
2026-06-01
Date Acceptance
2026-04-01
Citation
Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 2026, 41 (6), pp.504-513
ISSN
0169-5347
Publisher
Cell Press
Start Page
504
End Page
513
Journal / Book Title
Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Volume
41
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41963163
PII: S0169-5347(26)00054-6
Subjects
antler
armament
horn
male–male competition
sexual selection
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2026-04-09