Aaron and Robert are scientists who study brown anoles, a lizard, on the islands in Northeastern Florida. Along with their colleagues, they visit these islands every 6 to 10 weeks during the summer to survey the populations of brown anoles. When they survey the populations, they measure the lengths of the hatchlings and the survival rate of each. The graph below shows the population of the brown anoles from one of their summer and fall visits.
PART A: If Aaron and Robert see similar patterns of data for many years, how will the population of brown anoles likely change in the future?
A.
The number of hatchlings with shorter body lengths will increase and those with longer bodies will decrease.
B.
The number of hatchlings with longer body lengths will increase and those with shorter bodies will decrease.
C.
The number of hatchlings with medium body lengths will greatly increase.
D.
The population of hatchlings will remain varied in their body lengths.
Part B
Multiple Select Question
What evidence supports your answer to part A? Select the two correct answers.
A.
Natural selection will favor individuals with longer bodies.
B.
Natural selection will favor individuals with shorter bodies.
C.
Natural selection will not favor individuals based on their body lengths.
D.
Anoles with longer bodies have a greater chance of passing on their long-bodied genes to their offspring.
E.
Anoles with shorter bodies have a greater chance of passing on their short-bodied genes to their offspring.
F.
Anoles of all types will have equal opportunities to pass off their body length genes to their offspring.
Part A: B. The number of hatchlings with longer body lengths will increase and those with shorter bodies will decrease.
Part B:
D. Anoles with longer bodies have a greater chance of passing on their long-bodied genes to their offspring.
E. Anoles with shorter bodies have a greater chance of passing on their short-bodied genes to their offspring.