Question

(a) Sexual selection often leads to sexual dimorphism; this sometimes results in males being more colourful. Explain this under the good genes hypothesis

(b) Focusing on males what is this type selection an example of (stabilising, directional or disruptive)?

(c) Thinking about males and females what type of selection is this?

Answer 1

a. Sexual selection is the selection of one sex towards another which will eventually lead to the interaction of genes of one sex with the chromosomes and genes of other sex leading to sexual dimorphism. Hence it is naturally considered that sexual selection often leads to sexual dimorphism. According to the good genes hypothesis, it is the female in most cases who chooses the mate for reproductive success which will eventually lead to the domination of the female genes in the external and internal trait of the offspring leading to the colorful males.

b. Considering the male biology conditions, it is the stabilising selection is most probably exclusive for males. As Males are more effective towards environmental changes than females, it is the stabilising selection which helps in the male genotype production.

c.Normally, there are two types of selection - Intersexual and intrasexul which is favorable for both the type of sexes.