In peppered moth populations, light and dark moths are selected for in different environments. Which type of selection is this, and what would a distribution curve for all peppered moths look like?
A. disruptive selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle
B. stabilizing selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
C. disruptive selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
D. stabilizing selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle
A. disruptive selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle
This is because disruptive selection favors individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range, leading to the maintenance of both light and dark morphs in the population. As a result, the distribution curve would show two peaks at the extremes representing the light and dark moths, with a dip in the middle where individuals with intermediate phenotypes are less favored.