Question

Studies of female platyfishes, whose male counterparts have a variety of tail shapes, show that the females prefer male fish with artificial swordlike structures attached to their tails. This observation is most consistent with the A) notion of a molecular clock. B) maximum likelihood principle. C) sensory exploitation hypothesis. D) principle of homoplasy. E) parsimony principle.

Answer 1

Answer:

This observation is most consistent with the sensory exploitation hypothesis.

Option: (C)

Explanation:

• The 'sensory exploitation hypothesis' states that the male sexual characters as adaptations are to exploit female reaction that is developed in non-sexual contexts.

• As we see the example in the case of female platy fishes, how they prefer the male fish having the artificial sword like structures that are attached to their tails.

• Sensory exploitation is a sensory bias that is applied to gain the probability of having better reproductive success.