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Coyotes that showed a fear response to rattlesnakes had more offspring (a phylogenetic perspective).

A) True
B) False

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The idea that coyotes showing a fear response to rattlesnakes had more offspring is consistent with evolutionary principles, where advantageous traits increase survival and reproductive success, allowing such traits to be passed on to future generations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the statement that coyotes that showed a fear response to rattlesnakes had more offspring, it aligns with the principles of natural selection and evolutionary biology. In this context, it can be hypothesized that the fear response is an advantageous trait that enhances survival by avoiding potentially deadly encounters with predators like rattlesnakes. Consequently, coyotes with such a trait are more likely to survive long enough to reproduce and pass this trait on to their offspring.

It is akin to the concept mentioned in part c, which states that individuals showing fight or flight behavior were more likely to survive than individuals lacking this trait. This survival strategy increases the likelihood that successful behaviors are transmitted genetically to subsequent generations. Therefore, if the fear response to predators such as rattlesnakes proved beneficial for the survival of early coyote ancestors, it's logical that present-day coyotes would inherit this behavior, leading to a higher reproductive success for those exhibiting it. Based on evolutionary theory, the statement that coyotes with fear responses to rattlesnakes had more offspring would be considered True.

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