Question

In a species of wild animal, claw size is determined by a combination of two allele. Allele Q codes for large, thick claws, while allele q codes for small, thin claws. Individuals with a heterozygous genotype possess claws of medium size. Members of the species depend on their claws to be able to burrow in the ground and find food. The ground in their area has always been soft, but gradual climate change has caused the dirt to become hard and compact. Which statement best predicts the change that will occur in the affected populations?

Answer 1

Unfortunately this question is incomplete. Given the information provided, we can expect the hardening ground to seriously disadvantage the animals with thin, small claws. We can expect natural selection to cause a shift in the proportions of the alleles in the population, whith most individuals having the two QQ alleles and a minority with the heterozygous genotype (Qq), provided the individuals with medium-sized claws can survive. Since the q allele would still exist within the population, the individuals with the qq genotype would still occasionally occur in the population.