When a Lepidopterist Examined Museum Specimens of a Particular Moth

question 20

Multiple Choice

When a lepidopterist examined museum specimens of a particular moth species, she noticed that the variation in color was distributed as shown in the first graph. She was surprised because her data indicated the distribution of colors shown in the second graph. Which of the following hypotheses about the cause of this shift in the range of genetic variation is the most likely to be supported by examination of the distribution of colors in a collection assembled at a time between that of the collection of the museum specimens and her current specimens?

• A)Darker moths tend to lay more eggs than light moths.
• B)Birds prefer to eat lighter moths rather than darker moths.
• C)The bark of the tree on which moths landed became darker over time.
• D)Darker moths were more likely to survive and have more offspring over time.

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Definitions:

Conceptualization

The process of forming a concept or notion of something.

Concretization

The process of making abstract ideas or concepts more tangible and concrete, often through visual representation or practical examples.

Operationalization

The process of strictly defining variables into measurable factors, allowing for the collection and analysis of data for research purposes.

Abstract Level

A level of analysis or thought that is complex, dealing with ideas and concepts that are not immediately visible or tangible, often requiring significant thought and interpretation.