Which term describes differential reproductive success within one sex?

Which term describes differential reproductive success within one sex?

• A. Sexual selection
• B. Gene flow
• C. Stabilizing selection
• D. Inbreeding

Answer: (A)

Sexual selection explains differential reproductive success that arises from traits and behaviors that help individuals obtain mates. It often plays out within the same sex, such as males competing with each other for access to females, or females preferring certain mates, which shapes which individuals reproduce more. Over time, this can produce pronounced secondary sexual traits and sexual dimorphism, even if those traits don’t improve survival. The other terms describe different evolutionary processes. Gene flow is about genes moving between populations, not about mating success within a sex. Stabilizing selection reduces variation around an average trait value, not differential reproduction based on mating success. Inbreeding refers to mating among relatives and increases homozygosity without focusing on differential reproductive success among individuals.

Sexual selection explains differential reproductive success that arises from traits and behaviors that help individuals obtain mates. It often plays out within the same sex, such as males competing with each other for access to females, or females preferring certain mates, which shapes which individuals reproduce more. Over time, this can produce pronounced secondary sexual traits and sexual dimorphism, even if those traits don’t improve survival.

The other terms describe different evolutionary processes. Gene flow is about genes moving between populations, not about mating success within a sex. Stabilizing selection reduces variation around an average trait value, not differential reproduction based on mating success. Inbreeding refers to mating among relatives and increases homozygosity without focusing on differential reproductive success among individuals.