Which statement about swordtails or related fish is true?
A) Males with longer swords have increased mating success because females prefer them over other males.
B) The sword evolved before the females acquired a preference for swords.
C) In related fish that lack swords, females prefer males without swords over males with artificially produced swords.
D) Males with longer swords have increased mating success because males with longer tails win fights against other males.
E) In related fish that lack swords, females show no preference for sword length.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that females prefer males with longer swords, and these males have higher mating success. The longer swords are thought to be indicative of higher quality males, as they are able to grow longer and maintain a large tail in spite of the costs of producing and carrying it. There is evidence that females have evolved a preference for swords over time, as the sword shape varies between different populations of swordtails, and is correlated with the shape of the tail in other species of fish.

Which Statement About Swordtails or Related Fish Is True