Organisms that are well adapted to their environment survive and reproduce. Thos
ID: 3167127 • Letter: O
Question
Organisms that are well adapted to their environment survive and reproduce. Those that are not well adapted do not survive and reproduce. An adaptation is any characteristic that increases fitness, which is defined as the ability to survive and reproduce. Salamanders are active at night when raccoons are, as a result, the salamanders risk being a slimy meal. To avoid being eaten salamanders will hide in shallow areas of the pond and can swim away from raccoons underwater to safety. Below is a table that describes four female salamanders that live near a pond.
Characteristics of each female salamander
Coloration
Grey with orange spots
Orange
Red with black spots
Grey with yellow spots
Swimming speed
6 cm/sec
4 cm/sec
5 cm/sec
2 cm/sec
# of eggs produced
0
400
100
50
Age at death
2 years
4 years
3 years
3 years
According to the definition given above for fitness, which salamander would biologists consider the fittest? Explain why the salamander you chose would be the fittest by providing two reasons.
Characteristics of each female salamander
Coloration
Grey with orange spots
Orange
Red with black spots
Grey with yellow spots
Swimming speed
6 cm/sec
4 cm/sec
5 cm/sec
2 cm/sec
# of eggs produced
0
400
100
50
Age at death
2 years
4 years
3 years
3 years
Explanation / Answer
The Orange salamander would be the fittest because even though it's speed is comparatively lesser than grey with orange spot salamander and red and black spot salamander, it's lifespan is more and produces more number of eggs which in turn gives life to many other salamanders.
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