A new species of coral has been discovered in a region warmed by volcanic activity over the past several decades. Which explanation best describes how environmental changes may have contributed to the emergence of this new species?(1 point)

Responses

Warmer waters caused predators to arrive, allowing the coral to populate the region
Warmer waters caused predators to arrive, allowing the coral to populate the region

Warmer waters may have selected for a species that thrived in the new environment

1 answer

The best explanation that describes how environmental changes may have contributed to the emergence of this new species is:

Warmer waters may have selected for a species that thrived in the new environment.

This explanation highlights the concept of natural selection, where environmental changes (in this case, the warmer waters) can create conditions that favor certain traits or species that are better adapted to thrive in those conditions, potentially leading to the emergence of new species.