In a species of tropical birds, males have bright, colorful feathers while females are dull brown. The bright feathers make males more visible to predators. Which of the following best explains the evolution of these bright feathers in males?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question addresses why male tropical birds exhibit bright, colorful feathers when such ornamentation increases visibility to predators.
First, consider the core idea behind sexual selection: traits that enhance an individual's mating success can evolve even if they impose a cost on survival. In many species, females prefer mates with more vibrant plumage, displays, or song, driving the evolution of such traits in males regardless of increased predation risk.
Next, evaluate the given scenario: the males’ bright feathers make them more conspicuous to predators, yet these traits persist and are common among males. This pattern is classically explained by sexual selection, where the reproductive advantage gained through attracting mates outweighs the survival disadvantage of higher predator risk.
If one were to imagine alternative explanations, natural selection alone would typically favor camouflage or muted coloration in order to reduce predation. However, camouflage would reduce a male’s visibility to potential mates and thus reduce mating success, which contradicts the observed pattern of bright plumage being linked to mating advantages.
Some options might claim pure genetic drift or random fixation; however, the directional and consistent pattern of brighter males achieving greater reproductive success across individuals is inconsistent with drift, which would produce changes that are not reliably tied to fitness differences.
Another potential incorrect line could suggest bright feathers evolved solely because they signal overall health or vigor in a way that doesn’t involve mate choice. While signaling health can be a part of sexual selection, the decisive mechanism in this classic scenario is that females preferentially select brighter males, driving the trait through sexual selection pressures.
In summary, the evolution of bright plumage in male birds is best explained by sexual selection, where female choice and male displays increase mating success, even at a cost to survival due to higher predation risk. This aligns with foundational concepts in evolutionary biology that traits can spread because they confer reproductive advantages, not just survival advantages.

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In a species of tropical birds, males have bright, colorful feathers while females are dull brown. The bright feathers make males more visible to predators. Which of the following best explains the evolution of these bright feathers in males?

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