A population of desert pocket mice primarily displays light coat coloration. Following a volcanic eruption, dark basalt rock is exposed in their habitat, creating a new environment. Arrange the following steps describing the evolutionary adaptation of dark fur in this population according to Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection in their correct sequence, from first to last.
- 1Random genetic mutations introduce heritable variation in fur color, resulting in a small number of dark-furred mice.
- 2Dark basalt rock creates an environmental change where light-furred mice are easily spotted by visual predators.
- 3Dark-furred mice survive predation more frequently and pass their dark-fur alleles to a greater number of offspring.
- 4The proportion of dark-furred individuals increases across successive generations, adapting the population to the dark substrate.
Answer
The correct sequence of events is: (1) Random genetic variation introduces dark fur traits -> (2) Volcanic basalt rock establishes selective pressure from visual predators -> (3) Dark-furred mice experience higher survival and reproduction rates -> (4) The frequency of dark-furred mice increases in the population over generations.
Darwin's theory of natural selection follows a strict logical sequence: heritable variation arises randomly first, an environmental change creates selective pressure, individuals with advantageous variation experience differential survival and reproduction, and finally, the population undergoes evolutionary change as the advantageous trait becomes predominant.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Logical progression of Darwinian natural selection (Variation -> Selective Pressure -> Differential Survival/Reproduction -> Population Adaptation)
Estimated Time:1m 30s