Which statement aligns with Darwin’s concept of sexual selection?

Which statement aligns with Darwin’s concept of sexual selection?

• A. Traits attractive to the opposite sex may become common even if they reduce survival
• B. All selected traits always improve survival
• C. Traits are determined only by climate
• D. Mating preferences do not influence trait frequency

Answer: (A)

In sexual selection, traits spread because they help an individual attract mates or win matings, even if they reduce survival. The statement that matches this idea is that traits attractive to the opposite sex may become common even if they reduce survival, because the reproductive advantage they provide outweighs the cost to life expectancy or predator risk. For example, elaborate peacock tails may draw mates and increase reproductive success despite making the bird more visible to predators. This shows how mating preferences shape trait frequencies, a process that can operate even when natural survival is compromised. The other ideas either assume all traits boost survival, claim climate alone determines traits, or deny the influence of mate preferences on trait frequencies, which go against how sexual selection works.

In sexual selection, traits spread because they help an individual attract mates or win matings, even if they reduce survival. The statement that matches this idea is that traits attractive to the opposite sex may become common even if they reduce survival, because the reproductive advantage they provide outweighs the cost to life expectancy or predator risk. For example, elaborate peacock tails may draw mates and increase reproductive success despite making the bird more visible to predators. This shows how mating preferences shape trait frequencies, a process that can operate even when natural survival is compromised. The other ideas either assume all traits boost survival, claim climate alone determines traits, or deny the influence of mate preferences on trait frequencies, which go against how sexual selection works.