A male stickleback fish will attack other male sticklebacks that invade its nesting territory. It will only attack male fish, which display the red belly characteristic of the species. Why has natural selection favored this behavior?

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The behavior of a male stickleback fish attacking other male sticklebacks with a red belly characteristic is to establish a defined space for breeding with female sticklebacks. This behavior is a form of sexual selection, which ensures that the male has exclusive access to potential mates and increases its chances of passing on its genes to the next generation.

A Male Stickleback Fish Will Attack Other Male Sticklebacks That