Question

A biologist observes that a species of stick insects on a remote island has three different color traits, almost equally distributed among the population. One phenotype is dark green, a second is light green, and a third is light green with dark green stripes. Over a decade, the biologist observes that the dark green phenotype becomes the most abundant, making up nearly 70% of the population. Which statement is the best explanation for this phenomenon?

A) None of the color characteristics are undergoing selection at the present time.
B) A founder effect has resulted in an increase in the numbers of the dark green phenotype.
C) The dark green phenotype benefits the insects’ survival, making them more likely to reproduce.
D) The insects with the dark green color trait have developed an r-selection strategy for survival.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option C) The dark green phenotype benefits the insects’ survival, making them more likely to reproduce.

The given case shows the presence of the dark green phenotype at a higher rate. This may be because the dark green insects have an advantage, which the light green organism and the stripped insects does not have. This benefit causes the increase in the number of dark green insects over the other ones.

Also, in this case, the insect is present on remote island then the migration chances are very less, and the case represent the selection of dark green insects as their number increase on a higher rate.

Answer 2

I would say that the dark green color helps benefit the insects' survival. There are studies that state that if there are no variations in creatures, then the population would probably become extinct. This helps them hide from predators and blend in with their surroundings in a lot of cases.