Which type of selection involves competition among individuals of one sex for access to mates?

Which type of selection involves competition among individuals of one sex for access to mates?

• A. Intrasexual Selection
• B. Intersexual Selection
• C. Mechanical Isolation
• D. Ecological Isolation

Answer: (A)

Intrasexual selection occurs when individuals of one sex compete with each other for access to mates. This is the situation described here, where members of the same sex (often males) battle or contend to mate with the opposite sex, driving traits that help win these contests—like larger size, weapons, or aggressive behavior. Intersexual selection, by contrast, is about one sex choosing mates from the other sex, often shaping traits that are attractive rather than contest-oriented. Mechanical isolation and ecological isolation are barriers to mating or gene flow between species, not competitions for mates within a species.

Intrasexual selection occurs when individuals of one sex compete with each other for access to mates. This is the situation described here, where members of the same sex (often males) battle or contend to mate with the opposite sex, driving traits that help win these contests—like larger size, weapons, or aggressive behavior. Intersexual selection, by contrast, is about one sex choosing mates from the other sex, often shaping traits that are attractive rather than contest-oriented. Mechanical isolation and ecological isolation are barriers to mating or gene flow between species, not competitions for mates within a species.