Which one of the three possible results of natural selection does this experiment demonstrate and what was the most powerful selective pressure; camouflage or mates?

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

Which one of the three possible results of natural selection does this experiment demonstrate and what was the most powerful selective pressure; camouflage or mates?   

For thousands of years, humans have been influencing evolution, through changes we have caused in the
environment – and through artificial selection in the domestication of plants and animals. In many cases,
scientists have carefully documented evolution through artificial selection in the lab.
The spots on guppies can be manipulated
through artificial selection.
John Endler performed experiments in microevolution, allowing artificial selection to manipulate the spots on
guppies. Guppy spots are largely genetically controlled. Spots that help the guppy blend in with its
surroundings protect it from predation - but spots that make it stand out help it attract mates. Endler set up
similar populations of guppies in artificial ponds in the laboratory. Ponds varied in the coarseness of gravel on
the bottom and all ponds had predators. Below is a simplified representation of Endler's experiment.
Initial set-up:
course gravel, predator present
fine gravel, predator present
fewer than 15
generations of selection
fewer than 15
generations of selection
After fewer than 15 generations of selection, the markings of guppies in different ponds had substantially
diverged as a result of natural selection. In the presence of predators, guppies evolved to blend in with their
background.
Endler then performed another experiment, with the same pond set-ups but without predators.
Transcribed Image Text:For thousands of years, humans have been influencing evolution, through changes we have caused in the environment – and through artificial selection in the domestication of plants and animals. In many cases, scientists have carefully documented evolution through artificial selection in the lab. The spots on guppies can be manipulated through artificial selection. John Endler performed experiments in microevolution, allowing artificial selection to manipulate the spots on guppies. Guppy spots are largely genetically controlled. Spots that help the guppy blend in with its surroundings protect it from predation - but spots that make it stand out help it attract mates. Endler set up similar populations of guppies in artificial ponds in the laboratory. Ponds varied in the coarseness of gravel on the bottom and all ponds had predators. Below is a simplified representation of Endler's experiment. Initial set-up: course gravel, predator present fine gravel, predator present fewer than 15 generations of selection fewer than 15 generations of selection After fewer than 15 generations of selection, the markings of guppies in different ponds had substantially diverged as a result of natural selection. In the presence of predators, guppies evolved to blend in with their background. Endler then performed another experiment, with the same pond set-ups but without predators.
Initial set-up:
course gravel, no predator
fine gravel, no predator
fewer than 15
fewer than 15
generations of selection
generations of selection
Download the two graphics above from the Image library.
Without predators, there was sexual selection for male guppies that stood out from their background and
attracted the attention of the females.
View thie article opline at
Transcribed Image Text:Initial set-up: course gravel, no predator fine gravel, no predator fewer than 15 fewer than 15 generations of selection generations of selection Download the two graphics above from the Image library. Without predators, there was sexual selection for male guppies that stood out from their background and attracted the attention of the females. View thie article opline at
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Pre-Darwinian concepts
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON
Biology 2e
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:
9781947172517
Author:
Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:
OpenStax
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780815344322
Author:
Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781260159363
Author:
Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9781260231700
Author:
Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:
McGraw Hill Education