In a population of mice, individuals with medium brown fur are less likely to be seen by predators than light brown and dark brown mice. What type of selection is this, and what would the distribution curve for the mouse population look like?(1 point)

Question

Responses

stabilizing; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle
stabilizing; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle

disruptive; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
disruptive; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph

stabilizing; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
stabilizing; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph

disruptive; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle
disruptive; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle

Answer 1

The scenario you described indicates that medium brown fur is favored, while both light brown and dark brown fur are less favorable due to increased predation. This type of selection is known as stabilizing selection because it favors the average trait (medium brown fur) and selects against extreme traits (light and dark brown).

In a distribution curve for this population under stabilizing selection, you would expect to see a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph representing the medium brown fur color, with the extremes (light and dark brown) being less common, leading to lower frequencies on either side.

So the correct response is:

stabilizing; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph.