Question

the fur coat of california sea lions can be different shades of brown due to genetic variation. suppose that the frequency of each fur color changed in a population, as shown on the table below. which explanation accounts for the change in light brown versus dark brown sea lions?

Explanation:

To determine the explanation for the change in fur color frequencies, we analyze the data:

• From 2000 to 2009, dark brown fur frequency increases (18 to 39), while light brown decreases (85 to 61).
• This suggests natural selection: if the environment changed (e.g., habitat with more dark - toned elements), dark - furred sea lions had higher survival/reproductive success. Over time, their genes became more common, increasing dark fur frequency and decreasing light fur frequency as light - furred individuals were less adapted. Also, genetic drift or gene flow could play a role, but natural selection is the most likely driver for such a consistent directional change in a population trait related to survival.

Answer:

The change is likely due to natural selection. If the environment (e.g., habitat appearance) favored dark - brown - furred sea lions (e.g., better camouflage, survival, reproduction), their frequency increased over time, while light - brown - furred sea lions, being less adapted, decreased in frequency. Genetic factors (variation) and environmental pressures interacted, leading to this directional change in the population's fur color frequencies.