An ecologist studying predators and their prey in White Sand Dunes State Park found that nocturnal pocket mice exist in light and dark morphs. In this area, 42% of the mice are dark, and 58% light. In a study of owls that ate the mice in this area, the ecologist found that 61% of the mice caught by owls were dark, and 39% were light. What is likely to happen to the pocket mouse population in the future and why? Is this evolution?

Question

Steve Harrell

Biology

25 November, 04:05

An ecologist studying predators and their prey in White Sand Dunes State Park found that nocturnal pocket mice exist in light and dark morphs. In this area, 42% of the mice are dark, and 58% light. In a study of owls that ate the mice in this area, the ecologist found that 61% of the mice caught by owls were dark, and 39% were light. What is likely to happen to the pocket mouse population in the future and why? Is this evolution?

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Answers (1)

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Rachael Marks · Answer 1

the dark mice population would decrease

Explanation:

They would decrease because as explained in the passage, there are less than the light mice population and they are caught more by owls in the area. I wouldn't think this is evolution though.