Final answer:
The query involves evolutionary biology, focusing on sexual selection where male wild turkeys with larger beak ornaments attract females, indicating higher genetic quality and thus having higher mating success. Dr. Richard Buchholz explains that this trait evolves due to female preference and is an example of the broader concept where male display traits are used to attract mates in the animal kingdom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the evolutionary biology concept of sexual selection, where male wild turkeys grow larger beak ornaments as a display to attract females. Dr. Richard Buchholz's research, as featured on Science Friday, suggests that these ornaments are not for human admiration but serve as a signal to potential mates of a male's genetic quality. Such traits become more pronounced in populations due to female preference, so males with larger ornaments have higher mating success and pass these traits on to their offspring.
This phenomenon fits within the broader context of sexual selection where male display traits evolve because of female choice. For example, male bowerbirds decorate their nests to impress females, and wild turkeys' display serves a similar purpose in the animal kingdom. Over time, these traits can become more extreme, as long as they confer a reproductive advantage to the individuals possessing them.