What term describes differences in size or appearance between males and females of the same species?

What term describes differences in size or appearance between males and females of the same species?

• A. Sexual dimorphism
• B. Allometry
• C. Dimorphism
• D. Polymorphism

Answer: (A)

Sexual dimorphism describes differences in size or appearance between males and females of the same species. These differences arise from different reproductive roles and mating strategies, leading to traits such as larger body size, distinct skull or skeletal features, or specialized structures in one sex. This term specifically captures variations that are tied to sex, making it the precise description in this context. Allometry is about how body parts grow at different rates relative to overall size and isn’t inherently about sex. Dimorphism without the qualifier refers to two forms in a species that aren’t necessarily linked to sex, and polymorphism describes multiple distinct forms within a population not defined by sex.

Sexual dimorphism describes differences in size or appearance between males and females of the same species. These differences arise from different reproductive roles and mating strategies, leading to traits such as larger body size, distinct skull or skeletal features, or specialized structures in one sex. This term specifically captures variations that are tied to sex, making it the precise description in this context. Allometry is about how body parts grow at different rates relative to overall size and isn’t inherently about sex. Dimorphism without the qualifier refers to two forms in a species that aren’t necessarily linked to sex, and polymorphism describes multiple distinct forms within a population not defined by sex.