Natural Selection Unit Test

Question

5 of 145 of 14 Items

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 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 an increase in trees.
The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to an increase 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 a decrease in trees.

The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability.

Answer 1

The statement that is most likely is:

The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability.

This statement corresponds with the idea of natural selection, where long-tailed squirrels have a selective advantage that allows them to thrive better than short-tailed squirrels, potentially leading to a decrease in the short-tailed population. The other options do not directly relate to the observed increase in long-tailed squirrels' population due to their survival advantage in the context provided.