Variations in Populations

AP Biology· difficulty 3/5

Male peacocks have elaborate tail trains that lower survival but increase female mate choice; peahens have plain plumage.

Male peacock Female peahen Elaborate train decreases survival, increases mating

Conspicuous tail trains in male peacocks reduce survival yet are favored. This is best described as

  • A

    Bottleneck effect

  • B

    Disruptive selection

  • C

    Stabilizing selection

  • D

    Sexual selection (intersexual choice)

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Explanation

Sexual selection acts through differential mating success. Female choice for elaborate ornaments can favor traits that lower survival, as long as they increase mating opportunities sufficiently.

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