Final answer:
Male pipefish selecting less parasite-ridden females for mating is an example of intersexual selection, where males choose mates based on traits indicative of good health and potential reproductive success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The male pipefish selecting less parasite-ridden females for mating is an example of intersexual selection.
Intersexual selection occurs when individuals of one sex, in this case the male pipefish, choose their mates based on certain desirable traits, which in this scenario includes lower levels of parasitism. This selection is driven by the preference for traits that may indicate higher reproductive fitness or better health. It contrasts with intrasexual selection, which entails competition within the same sex for mating opportunities, such as the aggressive displays seen in some species where rams but heads. The choice made by male pipefish reflects a non-aggressive form of selection based on criteria that the selecting sex finds desirable, which are often signals of good health and vitality. The preference for less parasite-ridden females would lead to a reproductive advantage for the offspring due to the likelihood of them inheriting the healthier traits of their mother.
Male pipefish selecting less parasite-ridden females to mate with is an example of intersexual selection in sexual selection. Intersexual selection occurs when individuals of one sex choose mates of the other sex based on certain characteristics. In this case, the males are choosing females with fewer parasites, indicating better overall health and reproductive fitness.