Final answer:
The factors that could cause micro evolution in a dove population are natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. Natural selection and genetic drift are evolutionary processes that cause certain traits to become prevalent. Mutations introduce new genetic variation and gene flow is when genes are introduced from an external population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The micro evolution observed in a population of doves in a new habitat could be due to any or a combination of these four factors: natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
Natural selection is when specific traits become more common in a population because they confer an advantage for survival or reproduction. For example, if doves in the new habitat have coloration that helps them evade predators, these doves are likely to have more offspring and pass on their advantageous coloration to the next generation. Over time, the prevalence of this trait in the population would increase.
Genetic drift is a change in allele frequencies due to random chance. Suppose, purely by luck, some doves have more offspring than others, this can cause certain genes to become more common in the population.
Mutations are changes in an organism's DNA that introduce new genetic variations. A mutation could cause a dove's feathers to turn a color that aids in camouflage, providing a survival advantage.
Lastly, gene flow is when genes are transferred from one population to another, introducing new genetic variations. Gene flow could occur if some doves from another population migrate into the new habitat bring new genetic material into the population.
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