Question

Why are traits like the bright colors of a male bird of paradise considered to be honest indicators of male genetic quality?

1) They stimulate sensory preferences or biases that are intrinsic.
2) They are very costly for males to produce.
3) Bright-colored ornaments evolve extremely rapidly and often diverge in form among populations or closely related species.
4) They accurately reveal unpalatability or distastefulness to predators, so that predators can quickly learn to avoid them.
5) All of the above. Each of these contributes to the "honesty" of sexually selected male ornaments.
6) None of the above.

Answer 1

The correct option is 5. Bright colors of a male bird of paradise are considered honest indicators of male genetic quality due to sensory preferences, high cost, and rapid evolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bright colors of a male bird of paradise are considered honest indicators of male genetic quality for several reasons. Option 1: These bright colors stimulate sensory preferences or biases in females, indicating intrinsic quality. Option 2: Bright-colored ornaments are very costly for males to produce, indicating that only high-quality males can afford them.

Option 3: Bright-colored ornaments evolve rapidly and diverge among populations, indicating genetic divergence and adaptation. Therefore, Option 5 (All of the above) contributes to the 'honesty' of sexually selected male ornaments.