Q50 / 200 · MHT CET - Medical 2026 (24 April Shift 1) · Biology
In a population, the most common evolutionary stable strategy for a sex ratio is when _________.
- ANumber of males exceeds the number of females.
- BNumber of females exceeds the number of males.
- Correct answerCmales and females are in a ratio of 1:1
- Dfemales are economically independent from males.
Solution
According to Fisher's principle, the most common evolutionary stable strategy for a sex ratio in a population is $1:1$.
If the population deviates from this ratio, the rarer sex will have a higher average reproductive success. This frequency-dependent selection favors parents who produce the rarer sex, eventually bringing the sex ratio back to $1:1$.
Thus, a $1:1$ ratio of males to females is the evolutionary stable strategy.
Answer: males and females are in a ratio of 1:1
If the population deviates from this ratio, the rarer sex will have a higher average reproductive success. This frequency-dependent selection favors parents who produce the rarer sex, eventually bringing the sex ratio back to $1:1$.
Thus, a $1:1$ ratio of males to females is the evolutionary stable strategy.
Answer: males and females are in a ratio of 1:1
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.