What does sexual selection involve?

Sexual selection involves traits related to reproductive success, which is why the choice focused on these traits is the correct answer. This form of selection occurs when certain characteristics enhance an individual's chances of successfully attracting a mate and reproducing. For example, in many species, males may develop elaborate plumage or displays that make them more attractive to females, while females may choose mates based on these traits to ensure that their offspring inherit advantageous characteristics.

In this context, sexual selection can lead to the evolution of features that may not necessarily enhance survival but significantly improve reproductive outcomes. This can result in pronounced differences between sexes, known as sexual dimorphism, where males and females exhibit different characteristics beyond mere reproductive organs.

The options that discuss competition for food resources, survival traits, or cooperation between species do not directly pertain to the concept of sexual selection. While these factors may influence an organism’s overall fitness and selection in a biological context, they do not specifically relate to the mechanisms of mating and reproduction that are central to sexual selection.