Question

A population of termites initially consists of darkly colored and brightly colored members. after several generations, the termite population consists almost entirely of darkly colored members because the brightly colored termites are easier for a predatory species of insectivores to locate. this situation is an example of a the evolution of a new species. b natural selection. c artificial selection. d adaptive radiation.

Answer 1

This situation is an example of; b. natural selection.

Step-by-step explanation:

Natural selection is the mechanism of evolution that selectively reproduces hereditary variants (genotype) to make an organism to become well adapted or highly-suited to its environment over time. The selective hereditary variants in the genetic constitution of the organism increase the organism’s chance of survival and reproduction, and these variants are preserved and multiplied from generation to generation than the less beneficial ones.

From the question, the dark color of the population of the termites is a beneficial hereditary variants that increase their chance of survival because it protects the termites from predatory species. Due to natural selection, the dark color trait is preserved and multiplied in the termite population for several generations. This is why the termite population consists almost entirely of darkly colored members.