Interlocus contest evolution (ICE) is a process of intergenomic conflict by which different loci within a single genome antagonistically coevolve.
As a result, ICE can lead to a chain reaction of perpetual gene substitution at antagonistically interacting loci, and no stable equilibrium can be achieved.
Genes expressed in the offspring will be selected to produce an intermediary level of resource allocation between the male-benefit and female-benefit loci.
[1] For example, primitive male elephant seals may have used the lowest frequencies in the threat call of a rival as an indication of body size.
The elephant seal's enormous nose may have evolved as a resonating device to amplify low frequencies,[6] illustrating selection that favors the production of low-frequency threat vocalizations.
However, this counter-selects for receptor systems that provide an increased threshold required for intimidation, which in turn selects for deeper threat vocalizations.