The distributions of beak size in a bird population at two different times are shown below. In going from time $t = 0$ to $t = t_1$, the variance of the distribution in beak size in the population has _________.
To determine how the variance of the distribution in beak size has changed from time t = 0 to t = t_1, we need to understand the concept of variance in statistics. Variance measures how spread out the values in a distribution are, essentially quantifying the degree to which each number differs from the mean (\mu).
Looking at the provided graphs:
- Time t = 0: The distribution is unimodal and centered around a single peak, indicating most individuals have a similar beak size, resulting in smaller variance.
- Time t = t_1: The distribution becomes bimodal with two distinct peaks. This indicates that the population’s beak sizes are now spread over a wider range of values, suggesting a higher variance.
Since the distribution at t = t_1 shows wider spread and two distinct peaks compared to a single peak at t = 0, the variance has increased.
Thus, the correct answer is:
Important Questions from Stabilizing selection
- Male rhinoceros beetles have horns that they use to fight each other. Despite the competitive advantage of having large horns, horn length never exceeds two thirds of their body length. What form of selection explains why horn length is constrained?
The figure below shows how feeding rate varies with age (old/young) and with body size (small/large) in males of a deer species. Based on this figure, which of the statements below is FALSE?
The figure below shows how reproductive fitness varies with tail length in a bird species. Given this pattern, what kind of selection is most likely to act on tail length in this population?
