What term describes natural selection that occurs based on competition for mating among males?

The correct term that describes the process of natural selection occurring through competition for mating among males is sexual selection. This concept refers to the evolutionary pressures that influence the reproductive success of individuals based on their ability to attract mates or compete with others for mating opportunities.

Sexual selection can manifest in various behaviors and traits, such as elaborate displays, physical characteristics, or dominance displays that improve the chances of mating. Male competition for females often leads to the evolution of traits that signify fitness, such as larger body size or more vibrant coloration, which can enhance mating success.

The other options describe different processes of natural selection. Directional selection favors one extreme phenotype over another, promoting shifts in trait distribution within a population. Stabilizing selection tends to favor intermediate traits, reducing variation around a central phenotype. Disruptive selection encourages two or more extreme phenotypes, potentially leading to speciation. However, none of these processes specifically pertains to the competition for mating among males, making sexual selection the most accurate choice.