Which factor can balance sexual selection?

Predation can indeed play a significant role in balancing sexual selection. In environments where predators are a threat, individuals may evolve traits that not only attract mates but also enhance their chances of survival. For example, showy characteristics, which might typically be favored by sexual selection because they attract mates, could make individuals more visible to predators. As a result, there is a trade-off between attracting mates and avoiding predation.

This interplay causes individuals to develop a balance between traits that are advantageous for reproduction and those that contribute to survival. Consequently, sexual selection is moderated by the pressures of predation, which can lead to a more diverse range of traits within a population, depending on the level of predation they face. Thus, predation acts as a counterbalancing force to sexual selection, helping maintain diversity and ensuring that not all traits are exclusively shaped by mate attraction alone.