In a population of birds, brightly colored males and very dull males survive best. Which type of selection is this, and what is most likely true about the proportion of males of intermediate coloring? (1 point)

Question

• Directional; males of intermediate coloring make up the greatest part of the population
• Stabilizing; males of intermediate coloring make up the greatest part of the population.
• Disruptive; males of intermediate coloring make up a small part of the population.
• Directional; males of intermediate coloring make up a small part of the population.

Answer 1

The situation described involves brightly colored males and very dull males having the best survival rates, which suggests that extreme phenotypes have a selective advantage while intermediate phenotypes are at a disadvantage. This pattern is indicative of disruptive selection.

In disruptive selection, the individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution are favored over the intermediate forms. As a result, we would expect that the proportion of males with intermediate coloring would make up a small part of the population.

Therefore, the correct statement is: • Disruptive; males of intermediate coloring make up a small part of the population.