Sexual swellings may function to establish paternity.

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Sexual swellings in female primates, such as baboons and chimpanzees, are thought to play a role in establishing paternity by signaling to males when the female is ovulating and therefore most likely to become pregnant. Males will compete for access to the female during this time, and the male who copulates with her may be more likely to father her offspring. By advertising her fertility through the sexual swelling, the female may increase the likelihood that her offspring will be sired by a high quality male.

Sexual Swellings May Function to Establish Paternity