Some fish in a murky underground lake have lighter scales than the others. This makes it slightly harder for the lighter fish to escape detection by predators, but most light-colored fish live long enough to reproduce. A natural event separates the dark-scaled fish from their light-scaled cousins, and as a result, a new species of dark-scaled fish emerges.

Question

Which statement accurately describes the scenario?

(1 point)
Responses

The fish survived because of a non-genetic advantage.
The fish survived because of a non-genetic advantage.

The fish experienced an evolutionary change because of genetic drift.
The fish experienced an evolutionary change because of genetic drift.

The fish survived because of an inheritable advantage.
The fish survived because of an inheritable advantage.

The fish experienced an evolutionary change because of natural selection.
The fish experienced an evolutionary change because of natural selection.
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Answer 1

The correct statement that accurately describes the scenario is:

The fish experienced an evolutionary change because of natural selection.

This conclusion is drawn from the fact that lighter-scaled fish have a harder time escaping detection by predators, suggesting that their coloration affects their survival and reproduction rates. Over time, this differential survival may lead to the emergence of a new species of dark-scaled fish, indicating a process driven by natural selection.