Question

• A small male will do better mating at sea when suitable beaches are rare and successfully defended by large males. A small male will do better mating at sea when suitable beaches are more common than are large, dominant males. Q4.16. Under what conditions would a female be expected to improve her fitness by mating with a small male at sea rather than with a large male defending a harem on shore? She would do better mating with a small male at sea: If a male seal's size and dominance is an honest signal of the expected survival of his offspring. If her offspring's survival is improved more by her continuing to feed at sea than by the superior genes of the beachmaster If large dominant males improve her survival by offering protection from the harassment of rival males If the larger size of the dominant males is due to sexual selection

Answer 1

Question 4.16.

The correct answer is option b - if her offspring's survival is improved more by her continuing to feed at sea than by the superior genes of the beachmaster.

Explanation: To a female, survival of its offspring is of prime importance. If the female realize that supply of food is more at sea and competition is less there rather than shore where competition is more in harem with other offspring and there is less chance of survival of her offspring, she will choose a small sized male at sea rather than large male with harem at the shore. so option b is the correct answer.