Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

Problem 1 In 1983 a population of dark-eyed junco birds became established on th

ID: 3165399 • Letter: P

Question

Problem 1 In 1983 a population of dark-eyed junco birds became established on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. The individual juncos that established the population on the campus came from a much larger population found in the pine forest of the nearby mountains. Juncos have white outer tail feathers but the percent of the tail that consists of these white feathers can vary among individuals and it is highly heritable. Among the campus population, male junco tails were, on average, 25% white, whereas the tails of males from nearby mountain populations averaged 50% white. Biologists have debated about whether the change in the "whiteness" of the male juncos' tails on the campus was due to natural selection or genetic drift. What data or information would you need to be able to conclude that natural selection was the mechanism that was causing the campus juncos tails to become less white?

Explanation / Answer

Answer: The Information is listed below which can conclude that natural selection was the main mechanism which causes the campus juncos to become less white.

Homologous and Analogous features: To check similarities between two types of juncos and determining relationships from similar features.

Homologous genes: In general, the more DNA differences in homologous genes (or amino acid differences in the proteins they encode) between two species, the more distantly the species are related.

Biogeography: The geographic distribution of the mountain and the university may distinguish, why the university's juncos become less-white than the mountain's juncos.

Microevolution: By Direct observation or watching the changes.

Hire Me For All Your Tutoring Needs
Integrity-first tutoring: clear explanations, guidance, and feedback.
Drop an Email at
drjack9650@gmail.com
Chat Now And Get Quote