​A researcher studying the mating systems in birds (operational sex ratio 1:1) uses the number of successful matings as a measure of male reproductive fitness and female reproductive fitness, as depicted in the figure below.​

​Which one of the following options correctly matches P and Q with the correct sex for different mating systems?​

Correct option is B

EXPLANATION-

Step 1: Understand the Graph
P (Black bar) and Q (White bar) are reproductive success for two different groups (likely male and female).

Step 2: Mating Systems and Patterns
Polygyny (one male mates with multiple females):
Few males have very high reproductive success.
Most females have relatively equal reproductive success.
So, in polygyny: Males show high variance in mating success and females show lower variance.

Polyandry (one female mates with multiple males):
Few females have very high reproductive success.
Most males have more even mating success.
So, in polyandry: Females show high variance and males show lower variance.

Step 3: Apply to Graph
Q (white bars) show high variance: some individuals (e.g., ID 1 and 2) have much higher mating success.
P (black bars) show more uniform distribution.

​ Therefore:
Q = the sex with high variance → fits male in polygyny, female in polyandry.
P = the sex with low variance → fits female in polygyny, male in polyandry.

Step 4: Match with Options
Polygyny: Q = male, P = female
Polyandry:  P = male, Q = female

So, the correct option is (b)