Final answer:
The increase in population of female blonde squirrels due to male squirrel attraction is best explained by sexual selection, specifically concepts like the good genes hypothesis which suggest that certain traits signal better genetic health and fitness, thus making them more attractive to potential mates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept that best explains the increase in the population of female blonde squirrels on campus due to male squirrel attraction is sexual selection. Sexual selection is a mode of natural selection where members of one biological sex choose mates of the other sex to mate with and compete with members of the same sex for access to members of the opposite sex. This can lead to an increase in the frequency of traits in the population that are desirable for mating.
It seems likely that the male squirrels are attracted to the female blonde squirrels for reasons that could be similar to the good genes hypothesis, which suggests that certain traits can indicate the potential for better genetic fitness. In the case of the squirrels, if male squirrels prefer and are thus more likely to mate with female blonde squirrels, the genes related to blonde fur would become more widespread, assuming that the offspring also carry this trait and that it does not negatively impact their survival and reproductive success.
In the broader context of ethology and evolutionary psychology, this type of behavior aligns with what we understand about mate preferences and reproductive strategies, as well as how behaviors and physical characteristics can be shaped by evolutionary processes over time.