There is a species of beetle that has two variations in the population:brown beetles and green beetles. About 82% of all brown beetles survive to adulthood while only 31% of green beetles survive to adulthood. Which of the following statements is true about the fitness of these beetles?

PATTERNS OF EVOLUTION

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Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]

A	The green beetles have higher fitness
B	The brown beetles have higher fitness
C	The green beetles have more adaptations
D	The brown and green beetles have the same level of fitness

Explanation:

Detailed explanation-1: -In other words there is differential reproduction between the brown and green beetles. Over time the end result is that the population will come to be dominated by green beetles as heredity dictates the trait for green colour is passed on.

Detailed explanation-2: -Several green beetles were killed when someone stepped on them and had no offspring. The next generation would have a few more brown beetles than the previous generation-but just by chance. These chance changes from generation to generation are known as genetic drift.

Detailed explanation-3: -Beetles of a different color Most of the beetles in the population (say 90%) have a gene for green coloration and a few of them (10%) have a gene that makes them brown. Several generations later, things have changed: brown beetles are more common and make up 70% of the population.

Detailed explanation-4: -Meaning that green beetles will survive to produce less offspring compared to the brown beetles; hence, there is differential reproduction. As a result, the surviving brown beetles produce more brown beetle offspring because this trait has a genetic basis and there is heredity involved over time.

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