Question

most deer mouse populations inhabit regions with dark soils. these deer mice have dark brown fur. populations of deer mice found in the sand hills regions of nebraska, which has tan colored sand instead of dark soil, have tan fur. which statement best explains why the sand hills population of deer mice have tan fur, rather than the dark brown fur found in other populations of deer mice?

• tan fur helps the mice protect themselves from predators.
• tan fur helps the mice see each other more easily.
• tan fur helps the mice find food more easily in the dark.
• tan fur helps the mice move faster when the sand is hot.

Explanation:

Identify the environmental pressure

Using the Ecological Adaptations knowledge point
The Sand Hills region of Nebraska features tan-colored sand instead of the dark soil typical of other regions. This change in substrate color alters the visual background against which predators spot the deer mice.

Analyze the adaptive advantage of fur color

Using the Natural Selection knowledge point
In an environment with tan sand, mice with tan fur blend in with their surroundings, providing camouflage. This visual match makes it harder for visual predators (like owls or hawks) to spot them, thereby increasing their survival rate compared to mice with dark brown fur.

Evaluate the given options

• Option 1: "Tan fur helps the mice protect themselves from predators." This directly aligns with the mechanism of camouflage under natural selection.
• Option 2: "Tan fur helps the mice see each other more easily." Fur color does not affect the mice's own vision or social signaling in a way that explains this substrate-matching adaptation.
• Option 3: "Tan fur helps the mice find food more easily in the dark." Fur color does not assist in foraging efficiency or night vision.
• Option 4: "Tan fur helps the mice move faster when the sand is hot." Fur color does not influence physical running speed or locomotion mechanics.

Answer:

• Tan fur helps the mice protect themselves from predators. (Correct answer)
• Tan fur helps the mice see each other more easily.
• Tan fur helps the mice find food more easily in the dark.
• Tan fur helps the mice move faster when the sand is hot.