What was Darwin's explanation for the evolution of bright colors and other apparently useless (and potentially deleterious) but conspicuous characters in males of many species?
A) Stabilizing selection
B) Genetic drift
C) Sexual selection
D) Disruptive selection
E) Gene flow

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darwin proposed that these traits were a result of sexual selection, meaning that individuals with the brightest colors or most conspicuous traits were preferred by mates and therefore had higher reproductive success. This could offset any potential disadvantages of the trait by increasing an individual's chances of mating and passing on their genes.

What Was Darwin's Explanation for the Evolution of Bright Colors