The more impressive the tail of a male peacock, the higher its chances of finding a mate. Female peacocks choose mates based on the color of the feathers and the overall physical prowess of the animal. However, a genetic mutation called leucism can produce a peacock with only white feathers. This mutation causes the inability of pigment to be deposited into their feathers which results in a white appearance. What would you infer to be the fitness of the white peacock? Choose ALL that apply.
A) The females will equally choose the brightly colored and white peacocks as mates.
B) White peacocks are highly prized, thought to symbolize purity, eternity, and unconditional love, making them desirable mates.
C) If females choose the brightest males as partners, the ones without the impressive tails will be less likely to mate and reproduce.
D) White peacocks are highly prized, thought to symbolize purity, eternity, and unconditional love, causing them to be selectively bred for their unique trait.
E) The peacocks with colored tails will be picked over the white peacocks as mates, causing the peacocks with the white mutation to die out of the population over time