Question

Which of the following is necessary and sufficient for correlational selection to occur?

A) Two or more traits must contribute to fitness

B) Pleiotropy occurs between two traits but only one of the traits is under direct selection

C) The contribution of one trait to fitness depends on the specific value of a second trait

D) A single trait must be correlated with fitness

Answer 1

Correlational selection occurs when the contribution of one trait to fitness depends on the specific value of a second trait.

Step-by-step explanation:

Correlational selection occurs when the contribution of one trait to fitness depends on the specific value of a second trait. This means that the fitness of an individual is influenced by the interaction between two or more traits. For example, in a population of birds, the size of the beak and the length of the wingspan may both contribute to the ability of the bird to obtain food. If birds with larger beaks are better able to forage for food when they have longer wingspans, there would be correlational selection between these two traits.