Question

There are two varieties in a population of squirrels: short tails and long tails. Long-tailed squirrels are better at jumping and balancing in trees. Scientists observe that over the span of 100 years, the proportion of the population with long tails increases from 10% to 60%. Which statement is most likely? (1 point) Responses The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to a decrease in trees. The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to a decrease in trees. The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to increased food availability. The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to increased food availability. The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability. The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability. The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to an increase in trees.

Answer 1

The most likely statement is: The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability.

This is because as long-tailed squirrels are better adapted for jumping and balancing in trees, a decrease in food availability (for example, if food is more accessible in trees) could lead to a decline in the proportion of short-tailed squirrels, who may not be as efficient in navigating their environment as their long-tailed counterparts. This would result in a relative increase in the long-tailed population over time.