Intersexual selection in animals refers to the process of mate choice and competition between individuals of different sexes within a species. Male peacocks possess an extraordinarily long and colorful tail, adorned with iridescent “eyespots.” peahens prefer males with larger, more elaborate, and symmetrical tails, signaling good health and genetic quality. Intrasexual selection is responsible for the evolution of secondary sexual characteristics in males, such as deer antlers, beetle horns, and large body sizes that give individuals an advantage when fighting off potential competitors Intersexual selection occurs from interactions between the sexes, involving a mating choice for males or females. 10.3 how does sexual selection work Sexual selection, the process through which individuals compete for mates, primarily takes two forms
Intersexual selection and intrasexual selection Intersexual selection, often referred to as mate choic e, involves individuals of one sex choosing among members of the opposite sex based on the attractiveness of certain traits that those individuals. An extreme example of intersexual selection can be found in species where males form leks where multiple males gather to display to females. These examples illustrate how intersexual selection drives the development of certain traits In many cases, these traits serve as indicators of quality or fitness, influencing reproductive choices significantly. Sexual selection operates through two primary mechanisms
Each mechanism plays a significant role in shaping the traits that enhance reproductive success.
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