A population of lizards lives in a rocky area next to a desert.Some lizards are light colored and blend into the sand.Others are dark and blend into the rocks.What may happen to this population of lizards over time?
A)They may evolve into two separate species as a result of disruptive selection.
B)They may evolve into two separate species as a result of directional selection.
C)They may remain one species as a result of disruptive selection.
D)They may remain one species as a result of directional selection.
E)They may remain one species as a result of stabilizing selection.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection occurs when individuals at both extremes of a trait have an advantage over individuals with intermediate traits. In this case, the light-colored lizards have an advantage in the sand, while the dark-colored lizards have an advantage in the rocks. Over time, this could lead to the evolution of two separate species of lizards, one that is light-colored and adapted to the sand, and one that is dark-colored and adapted to the rocks.

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