A rain forest experienced a prolonged period of higher-than-normal rainfall between 2000 and 2010. Flooding made food sources for a lizard species difficult to find. Lizards that had longer legs were better able to climb to avoid the flooding and reach food.

Question

Which of the following graphs would best display the changes to lizard leg structure due to natural selection in the rain forest?

A.
image dc9fbd3f8440448eb663d139f9ad74d4

B.
image 9ae34bf549b24663835858fa8d97faa9

C.
image aba29b17e57d4b19bc53cb28c5996cc7

D.
image 1ca663f197b44c9792b2cee064387077

Answer 1

To represent changes to lizard leg structure due to natural selection over the prolonged period of higher-than-normal rainfall, the best graph would typically show a trend over time illustrating the increase in leg length among the lizard population as a result of the advantages provided by longer legs during flooding.

Generally, the most appropriate graph would illustrate a positive trend (increase) in leg length over the specified time period (2000 to 2010) for the lizard population.

Without seeing the images you referred to, I would suggest selecting the graph that shows a clear upward trend correlating with the natural selection pressure caused by flooding. If a graph shows an increase in average leg length of lizards over time, that would likely be the best representation of the scenario described.

If you have descriptions of the graphs or patterns visible in them, I can help you identify which one is most fitting based on that information.