AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -a theory of female mate selection proposing that certain male traits with little or no survival advantage are nonetheless so sexually attractive to females that they choose mates with these traits and thereby ensure male offspring with the same attractive traits.

Detailed explanation-2: -An example is the colourful and elaborate peacock plumage compared to the relatively subdued peahen plumage; the costly ornaments, notably the bird’s extremely long tail, appear to be incompatible with natural selection.

Detailed explanation-3: -The theory asserts that most human females, like females of many other mammalian species, have evolved mating preferences biased toward males who are competent in provisioning resources.

Detailed explanation-4: -The result of female choice is the elaboration of displays, coloration, and courtship rituals as the males try to “impress” the females by competing with other males via display mechanisms. Under female choice, highly elaborated traits can evolve, such as the peacock’s tail (Petrie 1994).