Question
DR AMR ALAA
10) Birds with large beaks and birds with small beaks are widespread in the environmer
while middle-sized beaks are in intermediate amounts. The beak size shows which
type of natural selection?
a) Disruptive selection.
b) Directional selection.
c) Stabilizing selection.
d) Convergent selection.
10) Birds with large beaks and birds with small beaks are widespread in the environmer
while middle-sized beaks are in intermediate amounts. The beak size shows which
type of natural selection?
a) Disruptive selection.
b) Directional selection.
c) Stabilizing selection.
d) Convergent selection.
Ask by Rodriguez Graham. in Saudi Arabia
Mar 30,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The beak size shows disruptive selection.
Solution
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The problem states that birds with large and small beaks are common while birds with intermediate beak sizes are less common.
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This pattern, where extremes are favored over the intermediate forms, is typical of disruptive selection.
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In disruptive selection, the trait distribution becomes bimodal; that is, there are two peaks (extremes) and a trough (intermediates). Mathematically, if we let
represent beak size, then the frequency distribution of the trait might show high values at both lower and upper bounds, and a lower value near the middle. -
Therefore, the correct answer is:
.
Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor
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Simplify this solution Extra Insights
When you observe birds with both large and small beaks thriving in their environment while those in between are less common, it illustrates disruptive selection. This means that the extremes (large and small beaks) are better suited for specific ecological niches, while the average beak size struggles to compete.
In real-world terms, this situation can be likened to a buffet where some birds specialize in eating large seeds, while others prefer small seeds. The middle-sized beak birds find it challenging to adapt, leading to a divergence in traits that ultimately shapes the population’s evolution.
