Question

Compare and contrast natural selection and sexual selection. What is the difference between intersexual and intrasexual selection? Give two examples of traits that are influenced by sexual selection and how they differ between males and females. How does the degree of sexual dimorphism in traits like these relate to the social organization of a particular species?

Answer 1

Dear Student

Natural selection is the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Sexual Selection is the natural selection arising through preference by one sex for certain characteristics in individuals of the other sex.

Intersexual selection	Intersexual selection
Occurs when one sex is able to select a mate.	Occurs between the same sex.
Becomes a competition to attract a mate.	Direct competition between the individuals of same sex to maintain the ability to pass on their trait to next generation.
Ex.. Birds ability to build a nest, sing song.	Ex..Male lions of control of the pride.

Two traits influenced by sexual selection are pronounced colouration and body size.

Females are often more colourful and attractive in order to attract males and the body size of males are often large in comparison to females as males are involved in hunting for food.

Many birds show at least some dimorphism in colour, the female being cryptically coloured to remain concealed on the nest while the more-colourful male uses display in courtship and territorial behaviours.

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