Final answer:
Sexual conflict describes the evolutionary struggle between male and female reproductive interests, where adaptations benefiting one sex may harm the other, differing from sexual dimorphism which results from sexual selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evolutionary conflict of interest between males and females in many species, where defenses in one sex can lower the fitness of the other, is known as sexual conflict. This arises from differences in the reproductive strategies and pressures on males and females, leading to behaviors and adaptations that benefit one sex but may be detrimental to the other. Males and females of certain species often have different traits and behaviors, which is known as sexual dimorphism. It arises due to the variation in reproductive success between males and females. Some males obtain the majority of matings, leading to a strong selection pressure for certain traits. This evolutionary conflict of interest between males and females is referred to as sexual conflict.
In contrast, sexual dimorphism refers to distinct differences in appearance between the sexes, often resulting from sexual selection, where traits evolve to increase mating success, either through direct competition among the same sex (intrasexual selection) or by making individuals more appealing to the opposite sex (intersexual selection).