sexual selection male traits predation reproductive success

A trait can hurt survival but still spread if it attracts mates

A large tail, bright color, or other noticeable trait can make an animal easier for predators to find or harder to move. But if the trait also helps its owner attract more mates, the extra offspring can outweigh the survival cost.

A galaxy can be as wide as the Milky Way but contain far fewer stars

An ultra-diffuse galaxy can spread across an area about as large as the Milky Way while containing only about 1% as many visible stars. A galaxy can therefore be enormous but extremely faint.

A constant compass direction does not give the shortest route

A ship that keeps exactly the same compass direction does not usually take the shortest path across Earth. Its route curves around the globe while crossing every north–south line at the same angle. This path is called a loxodrome.

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sexual selection male traits predation reproductive success

A trait can hurt survival but still spread if it attracts mates

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