Question

which of the following is the best example of natural selection as a mechanism for change in a population?
a. a striped bass lays hundreds of eggs. when the offspring hatch from the eggs, they are all immediately eaten by predators.
b. most lobsters are a dark greenish brown, but some are born with different colors. on rare occasions, lobsters are born blue, yellow, or albino.
c. a single rabbit is born with longer than usual legs and is able to run faster than all others.
d. during an unusually cold winter, many arctic foxes die, but the foxes with the thickest fur survive and reproduce.
possible points: 50

Explanation:

Natural selection involves survival and reproduction of individuals with traits that give them an advantage in their environment. In option D, arctic foxes with thicker fur have an advantage during a cold winter, survive, and reproduce, which is a classic example of natural - selection. Option A just shows predation without any selection based on traits for survival and reproduction. Option B only shows variation in color without any indication of how these color - variations affect survival and reproduction. Option C is about a single individual's trait without showing how it impacts the population in terms of survival and reproduction over time.

Answer:

D. During an unusually cold winter, many arctic foxes die, but the foxes with the thickest fur survive and reproduce.