Question

Characters that develop through sexual selection often come with a cost. For example, male elk produce large antlers during their lifetime that are needed to fight off competing males. The size of the antlers serves as a mark of quality to females. however, the size incurs a huge metabolic cost. Females discriminate and select mates based on the males's ability to survive with such a large ________________.

Answer 1

Females select mates based on traits that indicate genetic fitness, such as large antlers in male elk, even though these traits incur a survival cost. This selection is an example of the handicap principle in sexual selection.

Step-by-step explanation:

Females discriminate and select mates based on the male's ability to survive with such a large handicap. The concept being referred to here is commonly known as the handicap principle.

In the realm of sexual selection, males often develop secondary sexual characteristics, like the elk's large antlers or the peacock's vibrant tail, to attract females. These features signify genetic fitness and are used in intrasexual competition and intersexual choice. Despite these traits being metabolically costly and potentially reducing survival due to increased visibility to predators or physical encumbrance, they persist because they yield greater reproductive success.

This phenomenon suggests that these elaborate features serve as honest signals of a male's overall quality. Females tend to favor those with the attributes that indicate an ability to thrive despite these challenges, thus selecting mates who are more likely to contribute robust genetic material to their offspring. The trade-off in sexual selection involves finding a balance between the benefits of attracting mates with these features and the risks they pose to survival.