Question

blue flying fish live in the upper layers of the ocean. blue flying fish have enlarged pectoral fins that enable them to glide for 400 meters above the ocean surface and appear to fly.
which statement best describes how natural selection led to enlarged pectoral fins in blue flying fish?
a fish were able to glide out of the ocean and into other bodies of water to mate with other species.
b fish were able to live both on land and in the water as a result of their larger pectoral fins.
c fish with enlarged pectoral fins were able to glide out of the ocean to escape predators, increasing their fitness.
d fish changed their dna to express enlarged pectoral fins, changing the allele frequency of the population.

Explanation:

Natural selection acts on existing traits. Fish with enlarged pectoral fins had a survival advantage (could glide to escape predators), increasing their fitness (ability to survive and reproduce). Over time, this trait became more common in the population. Option A is incorrect as there's no indication of mating with other species. Option B is wrong as the text doesn't mention living on land. Option D is incorrect because DNA changes (mutations) provide the variation, and natural selection acts on the existing traits (not that fish "changed their DNA" in response).

Answer:

C. Fish with enlarged pectoral fins were able to glide out of the ocean to escape predators, increasing their fitness.