Problem :
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?
These giraffes have experienced directional selection.
Problem :
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?
These finches have experienced disruptive selection.
Problem :
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?
The uniform size distribution was created by stabilizing selection.
Problem :
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?
The distribution of a trait on which there is no selection pressure should form
a smooth bell-shaped curve. If there is stabilizing selection pressure, the
curve should be narrower, but with the same mean. If there is disruptive
selection pressure, the curve should be bimodal (have two peaks). If there is
directional selection pressure, the mean of the curve should shift up or down
the scale, depending on the direction of selection.
