The main selective pressure in this scenario is the drought. The drought impacts the availability of resources in the environment, primarily drying up ponds and leading to a decline in fish populations. Since long-legged birds rely on fish as their primary food source, the decline in fish availability directly affects their survival and reproductive success. In contrast, short-legged birds that eat insects are less affected, as the insect population remains stable. Thus, the drought serves as the main environmental factor influencing the fitness of different leg length traits in the bird population.
Consider the following scenario: A drought hits the habitat of a semi-aquatic bird population. All ponds dry up, and fish populations decline. There are two groups of birds in the population that differ in leg length and diet. Long-legged birds eat fish, while short-legged birds eat insects. The drought has little effect on insect populations. What is the main selective pressure in this scenario? (1 point) Responses insect population insect population fish population fish population drought drought leg length
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