Question

A biologist doing a long-term study on a wild spider population observes increased variation in silk thickness. which of the following processes is the most likely to be affecting the spider population?

Answer 1

The increased variation in silk thickness observed in the wild spider population is most likely due to diversifying selection, where different traits become advantageous in different environments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The increased variation in silk thickness observed by the biologist suggests that a process known as **diversifying selection** is most likely affecting the spider population.

Diversifying selection occurs when different traits or characteristics within a population become favored or advantageous in different environments or situations. In this case, the variation in silk thickness could be beneficial for the spiders in different ecological contexts, such as providing better insulation in cooler environments or greater strength in areas with higher predation pressure.

Overall, diversifying selection promotes genetic variation within a population, allowing individuals with different traits to thrive in different environments.