During the reproduction of a species of butterflies, a mutation occurs that makes the offspring more visible to predators. Is this a positive or negative mutation? How do you predict this mutation will affect the long term survival of the species? Justify your response in two or more complete sentences.
This is a negative mutation because it increases the likelihood of predation and decreases the survival rate of the species. Over time, this mutation may reduce the population size of the species, leading to a decrease in genetic diversity and potentially even extinction.
The mutation that makes the offspring more visible to predators can be considered a negative mutation. This is because being more visible to predators increases the likelihood of being hunted and killed, thus reducing the chances of survival and reproduction. In the long term, this mutation may have a negative impact on the species as more of the offspring with this mutation are likely to be eliminated from the population, potentially leading to a decrease in population size or even extinction.
