Question

A scientist has found that the color patterns of many marine fish species in the larval stage are very similar. These same species of fish show great differences in appearance in the adult stage. What is one conclusion the scientist could make from these observations?

1) The color patterns of marine fish species change as they grow from the larval stage to the adult stage.
2) The color patterns of marine fish species remain the same throughout their life cycle.
3) The color patterns of marine fish species are determined by their habitat.
4) The color patterns of marine fish species are genetically inherited.

Answer 1

Marine fish species change color patterns from the larval stage to the adult stage; this adaptation can be due to different environmental pressures, sexual selection, and genetic inheritance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct conclusion from the observation that many marine fish species have similar color patterns in the larval stage that change dramatically as they grow into adults would be: (1) The color patterns of marine fish species change as they grow from the larval stage to the adult stage.

An explanation for this observation starts with recognizing that larvae have different biological needs and behaviors than adults. In the larval stage, marine fish might be more vulnerable to predators, requiring similar color patterns for camouflage or to be less recognizable to predators. As they mature, adult fish often occupy different niches in the ecosystem, with changes in behavior such as the need to attract mates or establish territories, which can result in the development of more diverse and species-specific color patterns. These patterns are likely a result of environmental pressures, sexual selection, and genetic inheritance, where different colors become advantageous or disadvantageous over time based on factors such as predation and reproduction.