Answer to Question #118935 in Evolution for NIBEDITA RUDRA

Question

Long and attractive tail in male African
widow bird reduces the fitness of the
species.Is it true or false. Give reason for your answer.

Answer 1

True

The African widow bird exhibits a distinct sexual dimorphism.

In wet weather, the birds are unable to fly due to their elongated wings.

The tail, which are often more than half a meter (20 inches) long, are the most extreme sexual ornament among Euplectes and seem to be detrimental in survival of the male.

The tail appears to oppose forces of natural selection in the basic sense by decreasing survival in individuals who carry the traits.