Final answer:
After the 2017 hurricanes, the characteristic less common in the lizard population would be B) Brighter coloration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Lizard Population Changes Post-Hurricanes
When analyzing the evolution of a lizard population post-hurricane, we should expect certain traits that are advantageous in the harsh, post-hurricane environment to become more common due to natural selection.
For instance, characteristics that enhance a lizard's ability to survive and reproduce, such as camouflage or physical defenses, generally become more frequent in a population facing increased predation pressure.
However, one characteristic that would likely become less common after the 2017 hurricanes in a surviving lizard population, when comparing it specifically to the characteristics listed in the question, is B) Brighter coloration. This is because brighter coloration generally does not confer a survival advantage in an environment where avoiding predation is critical.
After natural disasters, lizards that are less conspicuous to predators due to duller or more camouflaged coloration would have a better chance of survival and passing on their genes. Traits like larger body size, longer tail length, and faster running speed, however, could potentially offer survival advantages by aiding in fighting, fleeing, or other survival behaviors.
Referencing the information provided and the concept of evolutionary adaptation, we can conclude that the adaptation most likely to become less common in the lizard population after the hurricanes is brighter coloration. This reduction in brightness is expected because it does not contribute to the lizard's ability to escape or defend against predators, which become a more prominent danger in post-hurricane environments.
To recap, after the hurricanes, the characteristics which helped lizards elude predators, such as camouflaged coloration, likely increased in frequency, making brighter coloration a less common trait in the post-hurricane lizard population.