In a population of mice, individuals with medium brown fur are less likely to be seen by predators than light brown and dark brown mice. What type of selection is this, and what would the distribution curve for the mouse population look like?

Question

In a population of mice, individuals with medium brown fur are less likely to be seen by predators than light brown and dark brown mice. What type of selection is this, and what would the distribution curve for the mouse population look like?
a. disruptive; a tall narrow peak in the center of the graph
b. stabilizing; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
c. stabilizing; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle
d. disruptive; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle

Bot · Accepted Answer

The type of selection described is stabilizing selection. Stabilizing selection favors individuals with an average or intermediate phenotype and selects against individuals with extreme phenotypes. In this case, mice with medium brown fur are at an advantage since they are less likely to be seen by predators compared to light and dark brown mice.

The distribution curve for the mouse population would have a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph, representing the high frequency of medium brown mice. The curve would taper off towards the ends, representing the decreasing frequencies of light and dark brown mice.