A species of fox lives in the attic where the ground is covered in white snow most of the year. These articles foxes hunt rodents and other small mammals, while their predators include eagles, wolves, and polar bears. A 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.
In this particular environment where the ground is covered in white snow most of the year, having white fur would be considered a beneficial mutation for the fox. The white fur would help the fox blend in with its surroundings, making it harder for predators like eagles, wolves, and polar bears to spot them. This would increase the fox's chances of survival and improve its overall fitness.
Therefore, the mutation that causes a fox to have white fur instead of brown can be classified as a beneficial mutation in this specific context. It would make the fox more likely to survive and reproduce successfully in its snowy habitat.