Final answer:
In Biology, female preference for male 1st cousins in Japanese quail is an example of kin selection, an evolutionary strategy that favors the reproductive success of an organism's relatives to ensure the continuation of shared family genes. Sexual selection plays a role in these behaviors, leading to sexual dimorphism where males may develop certain traits that females prefer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examining the field of Biology, an example of female preference for male 1st cousins in Japanese quail would be kin selection. In this context, kin selection refers to the evolutionary strategy that favors the reproductive success of an organism's relatives, even at a cost to the organism's own survival and reproduction. This strategy helps to ensure the continuation of shared family genes. The females of certain species, including Japanese quail, may exhibit a preference for mating with individuals that are genetically related to them, such as first cousins, in order to maintain genetic similarities within the population. However, it is important to note that excessive inbreeding can lead to increased expression of deleterious recessive alleles.
Sexual selection can influence mating behaviors and lead to the development of specific traits within a population, such as male Japanese quails being preferred based on certain genetic or physical attributes. Moreover, when discussing why males and females of a population look or act differently, this can be attributed to sexual dimorphism, which is often a result of sexual selection. This dimorphism may involve males developing traits that appeal to female aesthetic or fitness preferences.