Question

Morphological or behavioral characteristics used to attract a mate can also have the consequences of drawing a predator's attention to the individual who possesses that trait, yet these so-called expensive traits persist in many species. This describes.......

Answer 1

Sexual selection favors traits that increase an individual's chances of mating, even if these traits can be risky and make one more visible to predators. Examples include the peacock's vibrant tail and the phenomenon of Batesian mimicry,

Step-by-step explanation:

Behaviors and characteristics that are used to attract a mate are aspects of an evolutionary process known as sexual selection. This falls under the broader scope of natural selection but emphasizes traits that improve chances of mating, even if they come with potential survival consequences. For instance, in the case of peacock tails, the males with larger and more vibrant tails are more appealing to females. However, these tails also increase visibility to predators and can drawing their attention, which is a substantial risk. Yet, these costly traits persist because the reproductive benefits outweigh the survival risks for the species, and this notion is encapsulated in the handicap principle. The persistence of these traits also involves intersexual selection, where members of one sex (typically females) prefer mates with certain characteristics, and intrasexual selection, involving competition among individuals of the same sex (typically males) for mates. Similarly, some species use mimicry to avoid predation, such as Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species imitates the warning signs of a harmful one to deter predators, further illustrating the complex interplay between mating strategies and predator avoidance.