The main selective pressure in this scenario is the fish population. The decline in fish populations impacts the long-legged birds that rely on fish as their primary food source, which can lead to increased competition for food and affect their survival and reproduction. In contrast, the short-legged birds, which eat stable insect populations, are not directly affected by the decline in fish.
Consider the following scenario:
A significant decline in fish populations occurs in the habitat of a semi-aquatic bird population. There are two groups of birds in the population that differ in leg length and diet. Long-legged birds eat fish, while short-legged birds eat insects. The insect population remains stable.
What is the main selective pressure in this scenario?
(1 point)
Responses
leg length
leg length
insect population
insect population
fish population
fish population
bird population
1 answer