In a population of mice, individuals with medium brown fur are less likely to be seen by predators than light brown and dark brown mice. What type of selection is this, and what would the distribution curve for the mouse population look like?

Question

In a population of mice, individuals with medium brown fur are less likely to be seen by predators than light brown and dark brown mice. What type of selection is this, and what would the distribution curve for the mouse population look like?

1.stabilizing; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle
2.disruptive; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle
3.disruptive; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
4.stabilizing; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph

Answer 1

1. stabilizing; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle

In this scenario, medium brown fur is favored by natural selection as it provides a balance between the advantages of both light and dark fur colors. As a result, individuals with medium brown fur are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to a stabilizing selection pressure. The distribution curve for the mouse population would show two peaks at either end, representing light and dark brown individuals, with a dip in the middle where the medium brown individuals are located.