205k views
5 votes
T or F. Female Choice is the reason bull Moose have antlers

User Tevfik
by
7.6k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

True, female choice is a key reason why bull moose have large antlers, as females tend to choose mates based on traits that signal fitness, such as antler size. This form of sexual selection, driven by female choice, is supported by natural selection favoring fitness indications in prospective mates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement 'Female Choice is the reason bull Moose have antlers' is true. It is widely accepted that in various species, including bull moose, female choice plays a significant role in sexual selection. Females often select mates based on certain characteristics that are indicative of the male's fitness, such as the size and condition of his antlers. In the case of bull moose, large and well-formed antlers can be a signal of good health and strong genetic qualities.

Natural selection plays a crucial role in the development of these traits over generations. For example, female elk with less than 6% body fat have greatly reduced chances of becoming pregnant. Natural selection has likely influenced this as it favors traits that prevent pregnancies in female elk with low fat reserves who would not have the necessary energy to carry a pregnancy to term. This has become predominant in observed natural elk herds today.

Females are more selective than males when it comes to choosing a mate, which drives males to develop traits like large antlers to improve their likelihood of being selected. Thus, antlers are not just elaborate ornaments, but rather play a critical role in a male moose's reproductive success through the process of female choice.

User Faken
by
7.8k points