Question

A species of fox lives in the artic where the ground is covered in white snow most of the year. These arctic foxes hunt rodents and other small mammals, while their predators include eagles, wolves, and polar bears. A mutation in its DNA causes a fox to have white fur rather than brown. Given this information, would u classify the is mutation as harmful, beneficial, or netural mutation? Would this make the fox more or less likely to survive? Explain ur answer

Answer 1

The mutation causing the arctic fox to have white fur instead of brown can be classified as a beneficial mutation in the context of its Arctic environment.

Explanation:

1. Camouflage and Survival: The primary advantage of having white fur in the Arctic, where the ground is predominantly covered in snow, is enhanced camouflage. This helps the fox blend into its surroundings, making it less visible to both prey (like rodents and other small mammals) and predators (such as eagles, wolves, and polar bears). Improved camouflage increases the fox's hunting success and decreases its likelihood of being hunted.

2. Adaptation to Environment: The mutation aligns with natural selection, as animals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. In this case, the white fur is an adaptation that would likely increase the fox's chances of survival.

3. Less Visibility to Predators: Being less visible to predators helps the fox avoid predation, allowing more individuals with this trait to survive longer and reproduce.

4. Counterexamples: In environments where snow is not present, brown fur may offer better camouflage. However, since the question specifies a habitat primarily covered in snow, the white fur would be beneficial in that specific context.

In summary, assuming that the white fur trait is advantageous in the Arctic environment and contributes positively to the fox's survival and reproductive success, it would be considered a beneficial mutation.