Consider a species that can switch between two phenotypes: W is a weak competito
ID: 147656 • Letter: C
Question
Consider a species that can switch between two phenotypes: W is a weak competitor phenotype, C is a strong competitor phenotype. Like the tadpoles, this species typically expresses the W phenotype until it senses a competitive environment, at which point it switches to C (“competition-induced plasticity”). If C individuals more effectively compete for resources, why aren’t all individuals C always (why is W the default)? Choose correct answer
1. Traits that improve competitive ability are often costly in low-competition environments
Consider a species that can switch between two phenotypes: W is a weak competitor phenotype, C is a strong competitor phenotype. Like the tadpoles, this species typically expresses the W phenotype until it senses a competitive environment, at which point it switches to C (“competition-induced plasticity”). If C individuals more effectively compete for resources, why aren’t all individuals C always (why is W the default)? Choose correct answer
1. Traits that improve competitive ability are often costly in low-competition environments
Explanation / Answer
Phenotypic selection occurs when individuals with certain characteristics produce more surviving offspring than individuals with other characteristics in the environment. However, the selection is regarded as the chief engine of evolutionary change. here many questions arise --
1. How strong is selection, and do different types of traits experience different patterns of selection? Is selection on traits that affect mating success as strong as the selection of traits that affect survival?
2. Do selection tend to favour larger body size, and, if so, what are its consequences?
selection- how does it work?
Selection is the nonrandom differential survival or reproduction of phenotypically different individuals. it requires variation. individuals that do have more surviving offspring are said to have higher fitness. when selection show heredity it will lead to evolutionary change in these characteristics. so when populations exhibit variation, heredity, and differential reproduction for a trait, evolution by natural selection will occur.
therefore by above theory or explanation we can come to a conclusion that traits that improve competitive ability are often costly in low-competition environments thereby forcing a species to be a weak competitor and switches to a strong competitor when required.