A population of beetles lives on a forest floor, which is covered in dark leaf litter. Dark beetles have the genotype A₂A₂, while lighter beetles have an A₁A₁genotype; heterozygotes have a phenotype that is closer to that of the A₁A₁homozygotes. The oppresso bird preys on these beetles. What outcome do you predict? A) Behaviours learned from the beetles will be passed onto their offspring. B) Beetles will have darker- shelled offspring to protect them from predation. C) The proportions of beetles in the population with different traits change over time. D) The colour of each beetle within the population will gradually change over time. E) A mutation will arise that will result in a darker shell colour and protect the beetles from predation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Predation pressure from the oppresso bird is likely to selectively favour darker beetles, as they will be better camouflaged against the dark forest floor. Over time, the proportion of dark beetles in the population is expected to increase, while the proportion of lighter beetles will decrease. However, this process is not necessarily predictable or guaranteed, as other factors such as genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow could also influence the population's genetic diversity. Option A is incorrect because behavioural traits are not genetic and cannot be passed on through genes. Option B is incorrect because the shell colour of offspring is determined by their parents' genotypes, not by environmental factors such as predation. Option D is incorrect because it suggests a gradual change in the colour of each individual beetle, which is not how evolution works. Option E is also incorrect because mutations arise randomly and are not directed towards any specific adaptation.

A Population of Beetles Lives on a Forest Floor, Which