Question

The male resplendent quetzal bird has evolved to have tail feathers that are approximately 60 cm long. The female quetzal has short tail feathers. Using the quetzal as your example, describe how the mechanism of natural selection may have led to the evolution of the male quetzal’s extraordinarily long tail feathers.

Answer 1

The male quetzal's long tail feathers have evolved through sexual selection, where they serve as a signal of fitness to attract females. Female quetzals prefer males with longer and more extravagant tail feathers, indirectly selecting for genetic traits that improve offspring survival and reproductive success.

Step-by-step explanation:

The extraordinarily long tail feathers of male quetzal birds have evolved through the process of sexual selection. In this process, the selection pressures on males and females to obtain matings result in the development of secondary sexual characteristics that maximize reproductive success but do not necessarily benefit survival.

The male quetzal's long tail feathers serve as a signal of fitness to the female quetzals. The length and vibrant colors of the tail feathers indicate the male's overall health and genetic quality, making him more attractive to female quetzals.

By choosing males with longer and more extravagant tail feathers, female quetzals are indirectly selecting for genetic traits that improve their offspring's survival and reproductive success. Over time, this preference for longer tail feathers has led to the evolution of the male quetzal's extraordinary plumage.

Answer 2

It has to be understood that the reason behind the male quetzal’s extraordinarily long tail feathers must have been due to the preferring of males with long feathers by the females. this ultimately led to the extinction of the males with smaller feathers. I hope that this is the answer that has come to your help.