Suppose you travelled back in time and located the first animals to have evolved feathers. You found that these animals were tree-dwelling ectotherms, able to run quickly but unable to fly. You also noticed that only males had feathers. Which hypothesis of feather evolution would these data most support? Feathers initially evolved in a role associated with ________.
A) flight
B) insulation
C) courtship behaviour
D) gliding

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that only males had feathers suggests that feathers evolved for courtship behavior, possibly to attract mates or for display. The inability to fly and the presence of ectothermy suggest that insulation and flight were not the primary functions of early feathers. Gliding is also unlikely, as this requires specialized adaptations beyond the presence of feathers.

Suppose You Travelled Back in Time and Located the First