Question

A population of clams lives in a rocky interdial zone where black lava has flowed into an area of white sand and bleached coral. The clams' shells range in color from white to black with a shade of gray in between. The white clams and the black clams each outnumber the gray clams ten to one. What is the most probable conclusion for why this is _______.

1) The white and black clams have developed adaptive features to help them blend in with their respective surroundings.
2) The gray clams are at a disadvantage and are being outcompeted by the white and black clams.
3) The gray clams prefer to live in areas where the lava has flowed into the sand and coral.
4) The color of the clams' shells is determined by their genetic makeup.

Answer 1

The most probable conclusion is that the white and black clams have developed adaptive features for camouflage, resulting in a higher population than gray clams.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most probable conclusion for why there are more white and black clams than gray clams in the population of clams living in the rocky intertidal zone is that the white and black clams have developed adaptive features to help them blend in with their respective surroundings. This is a form of natural selection where the clams with shell colors that provide better camouflage have a higher chance of survival and reproduction.

For example, white clams may have an advantage in the white sand and bleached coral area, while black clams may have an advantage in the black lava area. The gray clams, being less well camouflaged in both environments, may be at a disadvantage and are being outcompeted by the white and black clams.

Therefore, option 2) - The gray clams are at a disadvantage and are being outcompeted by the white and black clams - is the most probable conclusion for why there are more white and black clams than gray clams in the population.