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 A₁A₁ genotype;heterozygotes have a phenotype that is closer to that of the A1A1 homozygotes.The oppresso bird preys on these beetles.What do you predict will be the outcome of this predation over time?
A)The colour of each beetle within the population will gradually change over time.
B)Beetles will have darker-shelled offspring to protect them from predation.
C)The proportions of beetles having different traits within a population change over time.The proportions of beetles having different traits within a population change over time.
D)Behaviours learned from the beetles will be passed onto their offspring.
E)A mutation will arise that will result in a darker shell colour and protect the beetles from predation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The predation pressure from the oppresso bird will likely result in natural selection favoring the darker-shelled beetles, as they are better camouflaged in the dark leaf litter. Over time, the proportion of dark-shelled beetles in the population will likely increase, while the proportion of light-shelled beetles will decrease. This is an example of microevolution, as the frequencies of traits within a population are changing over time in response to natural selection. However, it is important to note that this process may not necessarily continue indefinitely, as environmental conditions and genetic variation can also influence the outcomes of natural selection.

A Population of Beetles Lives on a Forest Floor,which Is