An example of natural selection is the red color of a male cardinal. the females of the species choose mates based on the vibrant colors of the males' feathers. if females begin using different criteria than feather color when they choose mates, what would most likely happen to the color of the male cardinals over time? increased variation in the shades of red because the selection pressure has been relieved increased variation in the shades of red because the cardinals try different ways to impress the females decreased variation in the shades of red because no form of the trait is advantageous decreased variation in the shades of red because the only reason for variation was selection pressure