Question

An example of natural selection is the tail of a male peacock. The females of the species choose mates based on the colors of the males’ tail feathers. If females begin using different criteria than feather color when they choose mates, what would most likely happen to the tails of peacocks over time?
A.increased variation in tail feather color because the selection pressure has been relieved
B.increased variation in tail feather color because the peacocks try different ways to impress the females
C.decreased variation in tail feather color because no form of the trait is advantageous
D.decreased variation in tail feather color because the only reason for variation was selection pressure

Answer 1

The correct answer is option D, that is, decreased variation in tail feather color because the only reason for variation was selection pressure.  

In case, if the female peacock had to choose her mate on the basis of something other than the color of the male's tail feathers, then the color of the tail feather would not play such an essential function anymore, and thus there would be no longer the pressure of requiring to exhibit the most variant, brightest, and the vibrant colors.