The graph below shows a normal distribution for adult body size in a population of a particular species of fish. Suppose commercial fishers begin using nets that selectively catch larger fish of this species. They continue using these kinds of nets for many years.

Describe how the size distribution of adult fish in the population would most likely change over time.

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To determine how the size distribution of adult fish in the population would most likely change over time, we need to understand the concept of selective fishing and its impact on a population.

Selective fishing refers to the practice of targeting specific traits or characteristics of a species when fishing. In this case, the commercial fishers are using nets that selectively catch larger fish of the particular species.

Initially, the graph of the size distribution of adult fish would show a normal distribution, with a peak at the average size and tails gradually decreasing towards the extremes. However, over time, the selective fishing of larger fish would result in changes to the size distribution.

The selective removal of larger fish from the population would have a disproportionate effect on the size distribution. Since the larger fish are being removed from the population, the overall average size of the adult fish would decrease. This is because the larger fish, which would have contributed to the higher end of the size distribution, are being selectively targeted and removed from the population.

As a result, we would expect to observe a shift in the size distribution towards smaller-sized fish. The peak of the size distribution would gradually shift towards smaller sizes, reflecting the reduced abundance of larger fish. The tails of the distribution would also become thinner, indicating a reduction in the number of larger fish in the population.

If selective fishing continues for many years, the size distribution of adult fish would likely become skewed towards smaller individuals, resembling a left-skewed distribution. Smaller-sized fish would become more prevalent in the population, while the proportion of larger-sized fish would decrease.

It's important to note that the extent and rate of change in the size distribution would depend on various factors, such as the intensity of selective fishing, natural birth rates, growth rates, and mortality rates of the fish population.

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