Female choice of mate during animal courtship can have an effect on the development of some features of the male. This is known as sexual selection. Sexual selection during courtship causes some males to develop exaggerated features like a large pincer in fiddler crabs or the long and beautiful tail of the peacock. Only males of breeding age show these features. They are caused by females choosing to mate with males showing the most exaggerated feature. This exaggerated feature will then be expressed in the next generation’s males. These features can make life difficult for an individual but the selection pressure of female choice of mate ensures they are maintained in each generation.
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