A population of small fish lives in a lake with a sandy bottom. Large shore birds prey on these fish. Although most of the fish are the same light brown color as the sandy lake bottom, about 10% are mottled. A construction company dumps a load of gravel in the bottom of the lake, giving it a mottled appearance. Which outcome would you predict?

Question

Biology

Monica Short

10 June, 11:17

A population of small fish lives in a lake with a sandy bottom. Large shore birds prey on these fish. Although most of the fish are the same light brown color as the sandy lake bottom, about 10% are mottled. A construction company dumps a load of gravel in the bottom of the lake, giving it a mottled appearance. Which outcome would you predict?

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Answers (1)

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Deven Guerrero · Answer 1

Answer: Reduction in consumption of mottled-color fishes

Explanation:

Since deposited gravel appear mottled, a perfect surrounding has been provided for mottled-colored fishes to mimic/camouflage their environment.

Thus, the 10% mottled-colored fishes would most likely escape being seen and consumed by large shore birds.