Final answer:
All of the statements given in the question are true. Coastal mice with darker coats are less likely to be preyed upon due to better camouflage provided by their habitat, and the color differences arise from mutations to the same gene. This exemplifies natural selection and selective pressures leading to survival advantages in specific environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The studies of coastal mice indicate adaptations attributable to natural selection influenced by their habitat. Firstly, the darker coats in coastal mice compared to mainland mice provide better camouflage in the darkened coastal environments, making them less likely to be preyed upon. Secondly, the color differences in coastal mice are rooted in mutations to the same gene, illustrating how a single genetic change can lead to significant adaptations in a population. Lastly, the mice with darker coats were indeed less likely to be preyed upon because they blended better with their surroundings. This is an example of selective pressure leading to a trait that provides a survival advantage.
To understand why intermediate colored mice were not favored by selection, we need to consider that they cannot effectively blend into either the predominantly dark or light areas of their habitat. Consequently, this phenotype has a higher predation risk, demonstrating how natural selection can be constrained by the adaptive landscape and how certain traits are selectively advantageous in specific environments.