After a drought, a scientist collects dead birds and finds that most of the individuals that did not survive to adulthood have either small or large beaks. Given this pattern, how do you expect selection is likely acting on the population?
A) Selection will not change the mean beak size.
B) Selection will make the mean beak size in the population smaller.
C) Selection will make the mean beak size in the population larger.
D) The entire population will die out.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pattern suggests stabilizing selection, where individuals with extreme traits (very small or very large beaks) are less likely to survive, favoring those with intermediate traits. This maintains the mean beak size in the population.

After a Drought, a Scientist Collects Dead Birds and Finds