Answer to Question #119939 in Evolution for Teresa Grimes

Question

Discuss the several steps involved in the experimental test of Darwin’s hypothesis of sexual selection in peacocks. (50 words minimum)

Answer 1

In a peacock a female may choose a male from several males because he is attractive.

Female peacocks often choose males for the quality of their trains, which vary in the quantity, size, and distribution of the colorful eyespots. From various experiments showed that offspring of males with more eyespots are bigger at birth and better at surviving in the wild than offspring of birds with fewer eyespots.

The reason for choosing a mate is just one type of sexual selection because members of one sex mating in disproportionate numbers with members of the opposite sex that possess some "showy" features. Some members may also choose a common mate.

Peacocks trains should not be too big or too larger because they may hinder a selective advantage, they might also be easily seen by the predator.