Suppose you traveled back in time and located the first animals to have developed feathers. You found that these animals were ground- dwelling ectotherms, able to run quickly, but unable to fly or even glide. You also noticed that males of the species had no feathers at all, while females had bright blue feathers covering their tails. Which hypothesis of feather evolution would these data most support?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of bright blue feathers only in females suggests that feathers evolved as a form of sexual selection, and not for insulation or flight. Males not having feathers also supports the idea that feathers were not necessary for flight at this stage in evolution.

Suppose You Traveled Back in Time and Located the First