Which example illustrates a trait that reduces survival but may be favored by sexual selection?

Which example illustrates a trait that reduces survival but may be favored by sexual selection?

• A. Peacock tail complex and conspicuous plumage
• B. Strong claws for hunting
• C. Camouflage coloration
• D. Fast running legs

Answer: (A)

Traits that influence mating success can carry survival costs. The peacock’s tail and conspicuous plumage fit this pattern: they are visually stunning and attractive to potential mates, but they also make the bird more visible to predators and require substantial energy to develop and carry. In sexual selection, such costly displays can be favored because they signal genetic quality to mates, increasing mating success despite higher mortality risk. This idea aligns with the handicap principle: only individuals in good condition can afford to produce and maintain such elaborate traits, making the display a reliable signal of fitness. The other options are more about survival advantages—strong claws aid hunting, camouflage reduces detection, and fast running helps escape threats—so they illustrate natural selection rather than traits favored by sexual selection. Therefore, the peacock’s tail and conspicuous plumage best illustrate a trait that reduces survival but may be favored by sexual selection.

Traits that influence mating success can carry survival costs. The peacock’s tail and conspicuous plumage fit this pattern: they are visually stunning and attractive to potential mates, but they also make the bird more visible to predators and require substantial energy to develop and carry. In sexual selection, such costly displays can be favored because they signal genetic quality to mates, increasing mating success despite higher mortality risk. This idea aligns with the handicap principle: only individuals in good condition can afford to produce and maintain such elaborate traits, making the display a reliable signal of fitness. The other options are more about survival advantages—strong claws aid hunting, camouflage reduces detection, and fast running helps escape threats—so they illustrate natural selection rather than traits favored by sexual selection. Therefore, the peacock’s tail and conspicuous plumage best illustrate a trait that reduces survival but may be favored by sexual selection.