Sexual v. Natural Selection

Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. It is a measure of how well-suited an organism is to its environment.

Advantageous traits are more likely to be passed onto offspring because they increase the chances of survival and reproduction.

Speciation is the process through which new species are formed.

Sexual selection increases reproductive success, while natural selection increases survival.

The 'fancier' category corresponds to female choice in mate selection.

Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Sexual selection is a mode of natural selection where individuals with certain inherited characteristics are more likely than others to obtain mates.

Bright plumage in male birds is often favored by sexual selection as it attracts females.

Competition for resources such as food, mates, and habitat can lead to natural selection, as only the fittest individuals survive.

Genetic variation is essential for evolution as it provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon.