Based on this data and your knowledge of natural selection, which explanation best explains the trends seen in the data?
a. This population of mammoths appear to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium since no allele frequencies are changing over time.
b. Individuals with thick fur migrated into the population of mammoths, increasing the proportion of these individuals.
c. Individuals with thicker fur had a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing these individuals to reproduce more often and create more offspring.
d. Individuals within this population of mammoths tend to only mate with individuals that have thick fur.
c. Individuals with thicker fur had a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing these individuals to reproduce more often and create more offspring.
To determine which explanation best explains the trends seen in the data, we can evaluate each option step-by-step:
a. This option suggests that the population of mammoths observed is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium since no allele frequencies are changing over time. This explanation would imply that there is a balance between genetic variation and selection, with no specific factors driving changes in the population. However, the data provided does not provide information on allele frequencies or any changes over time, so it is not a supported explanation based on the given data.
b. This option suggests that individuals with thick fur migrated into the population of mammoths, increasing the proportion of these individuals. Although migration or the introduction of individuals with a specific trait could impact a population's genetic makeup, the data provided does not indicate anything about migration. Without evidence of migration, this explanation cannot be supported based on the given data.
c. This option suggests that individuals with thicker fur had a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing these individuals to reproduce more often and create more offspring. This explanation aligns with the data provided, which shows an increase in the proportion of individuals with thicker fur over generations. The survival advantage provided by thicker fur in a cold environment selects for individuals with this trait, leading to increased reproductive success and more offspring with thicker fur.
d. This option suggests that individuals within the population of mammoths tend to only mate with individuals that have thick fur. While mating preferences can influence the selection of traits within a population, the given data does not provide any information on mating preferences. Therefore, without supporting evidence, this explanation cannot be determined based on the given data.
Based on the information provided, option c - individuals with thicker fur having a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing them to reproduce more often and create more offspring - best explains the trends seen in the data.