In an ecosystem, there are two color varieties within a species of toads: brown and green. Over 50 years, the proportion of the population that is green increases from 20% to 50%. Which statement is the most likely to explain this change?

Question

In an ecosystem, there are two color varieties within a species of toads: brown and green. Over 50 years, the proportion of the population that is green increases from 20% to 50%. Which statement is the most likely to explain this change?
1. The environment changed such that toads that can jump higher into the trees to survive better.
2. The environment changed such that green toads can blend into their surroundings better.
3. A disease caused a decrease in the proportion of brown toads.
4. Pollution caused a decrease in the proportion of brown toads.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The most likely statement to explain the change in the proportion of green toads from 20% to 50% over 50 years is:

2. The environment changed such that green toads can blend into their surroundings better.

This explanation suggests that a change in the environment favored the survival and reproduction of green toads, allowing them to thrive and increase in proportion within the population. Adaptation to the environment, such as camouflage, plays a significant role in the survival of species and can lead to shifts in population dynamics.

While the other options might contribute to changes in the population, they don't directly account for the observed increase in the proportion of green toads in this context as effectively as option 2.