Final answer:
Sexual selection results in traits that boost reproductive success, which may not always be optimally adaptive for survival. It promotes genetic diversity, which is advantageous in ever-changing environments, according to the Red Queen Hypothesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sexual selection refers to the process where traits are favored because they increase an individual's chances of mating and producing offspring, rather than directly enhancing survival. This type of selection can lead to the development of features that may seem maladaptive for survival but are beneficial for reproduction, such as the bright plumage of certain male birds or the large tail of a peacock which can attract predators but also potential mates. Organisms become adapted to their environments not just for survival, but also to ensure successful reproduction, which may or may not result in traits that are optimal from a survival perspective. The Red Queen Hypothesis supports the idea that sexual reproduction is beneficial for maintaining genetic diversity, which is crucial in a constantly changing environment where species coevolve and parasites and pathogens continuously adapt to host defenses. Sexual selection is thus a powerful force that promotes variation and adaptation, though not necessarily optimizing each trait exclusively for environmental adaptability.