The Irish elk was misnamed because it was neither exclusively Irish, nor was it an elk. The Irish elk is a giant extinct deer, the largest deer species ever, which stood up to 7 feet at the shoulder. In sexually mature males, the antlers spanned up to 12 feet and weighed 90 pounds. These large antlers were likely used in displays and ritual combat between males during the mating season. Although females preferred males with large antlers, these structures were also unwieldy and may have lead to decreased survivorship in males. Thus, this trait arose through the process of __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sexual selection is the correct answer because it refers to the process where traits become more or less common in a population due to the attractiveness of those traits to the opposite sex, leading to an increased chance of mating. In the case of the Irish elk, the large antlers, despite being unwieldy, were preferred by females, leading to their prevalence in males through sexual selection.

The Irish Elk Was Misnamed Because It Was Neither Exclusively