In seedcracker finches from Cameroon, small- and large-billed birds specialize in cracking soft and hard seeds, respectively. If long-term climatic change resulted in all seeds becoming hard, what type of selection would then operate on the finch population?
A) disruptive selection
B) directional selection
C) stabilizing selection
D) No selection would operate because the population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If all seeds become hard, large-billed birds would have an advantage in cracking them, leading to directional selection for larger bills. Small-billed birds would be at a disadvantage and may eventually become extinct, which would be an example of natural selection.

In Seedcracker Finches from Cameroon, Small- and Large-Billed Birds Specialize