Natural Selection

Problem 1.1: A group of early giraffes lives in a lush forest with many trees and shrubs of different heights to feed on. These giraffes have necks of various lengths, with most giraffes having a medium length neck. Then a blight passed through the area, killing off all of the low growing plants, leaving only tall trees whose leaves are far off the ground. Giraffes with shorter necks now have a hard time getting food, while those with longer necks can feed on the high-growing leaves. After several generations, the giraffes in this area all have longer necks than those before the blight. What type of selection has occurred in this giraffe population? [Solution]

Problem 1.2: A population of finches lives on an island with an abundant food supply. These finches have highly variable beak lengths, allowing them to feed on different types of food. Then several other species of birds move into the area, making food supplies scarce. The only types of food left for the finches are small seeds and nectar from long tubular flowers. Finches with small beaks can easily grasp and crack the seeds. Finches with long beaks can reach inside the long flowers to reach the nectar. However, some finches have beaks that are too large to deal with the small seeds, but too small to reach inside the flowers. After several generations, there are two populations of finches: those with short beaks and those with long beaks. What kind of selection has acted on these finches? [Solution]

Problem 1.3: A population of arboreal rodents lives in one species of pine tree. These pine trees have very evenly spaced branches of uniform thickness. Rodents that are too small cannot reach between the branches to move around in the tree. Rodents that are too big and heavy break through the branches and fall out of the trees. The rodent population contains adults of very uniform size. What type of selection has created this uniform size distribution in these rodents? [Solution]

Problem 1.4: What type of distribution would you expect for a trait on which there is no selection pressure? On which there is stabilizing selection pressure? Disruptive selection pressure? Directional selection pressure? [Solution]