Question

population at start population at end 2% mice with brown fur mice with black fur describe how the rock pocket mouse population changed over this time period. use the theory of natural selection to construct a possible explanation for this change. the percentage of mice with black fur in the population. this suggests that mice with brown fur were likely to survive and reproduce than mice with black fur. this may have occurred because there was light - colored rock than black lava rock after the populations environment changed. so mice with brown fur were more likely to be predators.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the pie charts

The left pie chart (start) has a larger segment for brown fur mice (or smaller for black), and the right (end) has a very small segment (2%) for black fur. So black fur percentage decreased.

Step2: Relate to survival

If black fur percentage decreased, brown fur mice were more likely to survive/reproduce (since their percentage increased relatively).

Step3: Environment factor

If brown fur mice survived better, the environment had more light - colored rock (so brown fur camouflages better), so there was more light - colored rock than black lava rock.

Step4: Camouflage and predation

With more light - colored rock, brown fur mice are less visible to predators, so more likely to avoid predators.

Answer:

The percentage of mice with black fur \(\text{decreased}\) in the population. This suggests that mice with brown fur were \(\text{more}\) likely to survive and reproduce than mice with black fur. This may have occurred because there was \(\text{more}\) light - colored rock than black lava rock after the population's environment changed. So mice with brown fur were more likely to be \(\text{hidden from}\) predators.