Question

A species of small lizard has three color forms, pale gray, brown, and black. In its original range, the colors of the rocky environment were mixed from pale gray to very dark, and the population had an even mix of all three color forms. The blending of colors with the environment helps the lizards hide from predators. A group of these lizards ended up on an island with only gray and black rocks. Eventually, the brown lizards disappeared. This is an example of A. directional selection. B. artificial selection. C. stabilizing selection. D. diversifying selection. E. mutation.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. diversifying selection

Explanation:

Diversifying selection, also called disruptive selection, occurs when changes in the environmental conditions act on a population to favor individuals with extreme phenotypes, while individuals with intermediate phenotypes are not favored ad become unfit to survive in the environment.  

In the example cited in the question, diversifying section is said to have occurred, as the new environment only helps gray and black lizards to blend with the background color of the rocks, shielding them against predators.Since brown lizards can’t blend with the color of the rocks, they become easily preyed on, and with time,the population of brown lizards disappeared.