In a population of owl monkeys, allele T ( TT and Tt) codes for tufted tails. The frequency of allele t ( tt), which codes for nontufted tails, is 40 percent. If a new predator starts catching the monkeys by their tufts and natural selection occurs, which of the following would most likely happen over time?

Question

Question 8 options:

The frequency of allele T would decrease and the frequency of allele t would increase.

The frequency of allele T would increase.

No changes would take place because the allele governing tufted tails is not dominant.

The frequencies for the two allele forms would equal out.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: The frequency of allele T would decrease and the frequency of allele t would increase.

In this scenario, the predator is selecting against individuals with tufted tails (allele T), as they are more likely to be caught. This means that these individuals are less likely to survive and reproduce compared to those with nontufted tails (allele t).

As a result, over time, fewer individuals with tufted tails will be able to pass on their alleles (allele T) to the next generation, leading to a decrease in the frequency of allele T. At the same time, individuals with nontufted tails (allele t) will have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing, resulting in an increase in the frequency of allele t.