Suppose you traveled back in time and located the first animals to have evolved feathers. You found that these animals were tree-dwelling ectotherms, able to run quickly but unable to fly. You also noticed that only males had feathers. Which hypothesis of feather evolution would these data most support? Feathers initially evolved in a role associated with ________.
A) flight
B) insulation
C) courtship behavior
D) gliding

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that only males had feathers strongly suggests that they were used for courtship behavior rather than flight or insulation. The tree-dwelling ectothermic lifestyle and inability to fly also do not support the hypothesis of feathers evolving for flight or gliding.

Suppose You Traveled Back in Time and Located the First