Question

An example of natural selection is the red color of a male cardinal. The females of the species choose mates based on the

vibrant colors of the males' feathers. If females begin using different criteria than feather color when they choose mates, what
would most likely happen to the color of the male cardinals over time?
increased variation in the shades of red because the selection pressure has been relieved
increased variation in the shades of red because the cardinals try different ways to impress the females
decreased variation in the shades of red because no form of the trait is advantageous
o decreased variation in the shades of red because the only reason for variation was selection pressure

Answer 1

In the given case, there would have been a decrease in the variation of the shades of red as no form of the trait will be advantageous. The red color of the male cardinal exhibit in order to fascinate the female cardinal.

In case if the female cardinals opt for another means for selecting their mates, then the male cardinals shall possess no application of the red shade. Thus, the variations in the red shade shall diminish because of disuse. Therefore, to overcome the situation, the male cardinals need to adapt to the new mechanism of selection.

Answer 2

Decreased variation in the shades of red because no form of the trait is advantageous

Step-by-step explanation:

Initially the selection pressure which powered the evolution of the cardinal birds was color. Now that the females do not use color to select mates, it ceases to contribute to selection pressure. No shade of red, therefore, confers advantage in the transfer of genes to the next generations. The population of cardinal birds will have more shades of red over generations.