Female peafowl (peahens)prefer to breed with males (peacocks)that have the longest tails. However, the longer the peacock's tail, the less well he can fly and the more likely he is to be eaten by predators. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sexual selection favors longer tails because peahens prefer to breed with males that have the longest tails. However, natural selection favors shorter tails because longer tails decrease the peacock's ability to fly and increase their likelihood of being eaten by predators. Therefore, there is a trade-off between the two forces, and the compromise is for males to have tails that are long enough to attract mates but not so long as to significantly impair their ability to fly and survive.

Female Peafowl (Peahens)prefer to Breed with Males (Peacocks)that Have the Longest