A species of fox lives in the Arctic, where the ground is covered and white snow most of the year. These arctic foxes hunt rodents and other small mammals, while their predators include eagles, wolves, and polar bears. And mutation in its DNA causes a fox to have white fur rather than brown. Given this information, would you classify this mutation, as a harmful, beneficial, or Neutral mutation? Would this make the fox more or less likely to survive? Explain your answer.
The mutation causing a fox to have white fur instead of brown would be classified as a beneficial mutation in this scenario. The white fur allows the fox to blend in with its snowy environment, providing camouflage and making it less visible to its predators. This mutation increases the fox's chances of survival by making it harder for predators like eagles, wolves, and polar bears to spot and catch them. Additionally, the white fur also aids in hunting by allowing the fox to approach its prey undetected.
In summary, the white fur mutation is beneficial for the arctic fox, as it enhances its camouflage and survival abilities, making the fox more likely to survive in its specific habitat.