Which evolutionary mechanism explains the peacock's tail despite predation risk?

Which evolutionary mechanism explains the peacock's tail despite predation risk?

• A. Gene flow
• B. Genetic drift
• C. Sexual selection
• D. Stabilizing selection

Answer: (C)

Sexual selection explains why peacocks have such elaborate tails even though they increase predation risk. The bright, extravagant tail evolves because females prefer mates with bigger and more impressive displays, giving those males more offspring. Even though the tail adds danger and cost to survival, the reproductive advantage outweighs the survival cost, so the trait is maintained and exaggerated over generations. Other mechanisms don’t fit: gene flow concerns movement of genes between populations and doesn’t drive this display; genetic drift would cause random changes with no consistent preference for elaborate tails; stabilizing selection would push toward average tail traits rather than highly ornate ones.

Sexual selection explains why peacocks have such elaborate tails even though they increase predation risk. The bright, extravagant tail evolves because females prefer mates with bigger and more impressive displays, giving those males more offspring. Even though the tail adds danger and cost to survival, the reproductive advantage outweighs the survival cost, so the trait is maintained and exaggerated over generations. Other mechanisms don’t fit: gene flow concerns movement of genes between populations and doesn’t drive this display; genetic drift would cause random changes with no consistent preference for elaborate tails; stabilizing selection would push toward average tail traits rather than highly ornate ones.