Question

which of these interactions are examples of sexual selection? select all that apply.

green butterflies are less likely to be eaten than yellow butterflies due to their color. green butterflies become more numerous than yellow butterflies in the population.
male seals compete for territory and access to clusters of female seals. the more aggressive male seals tend to secure the largest territories and clusters.
female flies prefer to mate with males that have longer eyestalks. these eyestalks provide no survival advantage, but longer eyestalks become more common over generations.

Explanation:

Define sexual selection

Sexual selection is a mode of natural selection where members of one biological sex choose mates of the other sex to mate with (intersexual selection), and compete with members of the same sex for access to mates (intrasexual selection).

Analyze the first scenario

The first option describes green butterflies being less likely to be eaten than yellow butterflies. This is an example of natural selection driven by predation (survival advantage), not competition for mates or mate choice. Thus, it is not sexual selection.

Analyze the second scenario

The second option describes male seals competing with each other for territory and access to female seals. This is a classic example of intrasexual selection, which is a form of sexual selection.

Analyze the third scenario

The third option describes female flies preferring to mate with males that have longer eyestalks, even though these eyestalks provide no survival advantage. This is a classic example of mate choice (intersexual selection), which is a form of sexual selection.

Answer:

• Green butterflies are less likely to be eaten than yellow butterflies due to their color. Green butterflies become more numerous than yellow butterflies in the population.
• Male seals compete for territory and access to clusters of female seals. The more aggressive male seals tend to secure the largest territories and clusters. (Correct answer)
• Female flies prefer to mate with males that have longer eyestalks. These eyestalks provide no survival advantage, but longer eyestalks become more common over generations. (Correct answer)