A large number of dark and light forms of a moth population were captured, marked or identification, and released. 500 dark and 500 light moths were released. 52 dark and 14 light moths were randomly recaptured. What would be the most reasonable assumption?

Question

Biology

Simeon Weiss

7 January, 13:53

A large number of dark and light forms of a moth population were captured, marked or identification, and released. 500 dark and 500 light moths were released. 52 dark and 14 light moths were randomly recaptured. What would be the most reasonable assumption?

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Answers (1)

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Anderson Lowe · Answer 1

Answer: The selective pressures (predators) in the environment acted more on the white moths than the black moths. Therefore there was a directional selection towards the black moths compare to the whites; with a shift in alleles frequency towards the black phenotype.

Conclusion: Black moths were naturally selected compare to the whites; as evident from 52 to 14 numbers recaptured