The Figure Below Shows the Results of a Series of Observations

question 32

Essay

The figure below shows the results of a series of observations and experiments on tail length in male African widowbirds. The black bars represent manipulated tail lengths by researchers (they actually added length to the tail feathers of the experimental birds). From the black bars on the figure, we see clearly that the male birds that have been artificially manipulated to have super-long tails are very good at attracting mates, approximated by the number of active nests for each male. Why then are the male tails we see in nature (open bars on the figure) so much shorter?

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Definitions:

Soft Drinks

Non-alcoholic beverage options, typically carbonated, that include flavors and sweeteners, such as colas and fruit-flavored sodas.

Price Elasticity

A metric indicating the sensitivity of an item's demand or supply levels to variations in its cost.

Budget Item

An individual expense or source of revenue that is accounted for in a financial budget.

Demand Inelastic

Refers to a situation where the quantity demanded of a good or service does not change significantly when its price changes.