Male peacocks have tail feathers that make up about 60% of their body length. During the mating season they contract muscles to shake these feathers in front of females; females evaluate the feather rustling as part of selecting their mate. The _____ is the mechanistic cause of this behavior; the _____ is the adaptive function of this behavior.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ability to shake the tail is the mechanistic cause of this behavior, as it describes how the behavior occurs physically. Mate choice is the adaptive function, explaining why the behavior has evolved or what purpose it serves in terms of reproductive success.

Male Peacocks Have Tail Feathers That Make Up About 60