You have spent time working with a population of beetles. Sexually mature males range in size from 2-6 cm in length. You realize that the females only mate with males that measure less than 3 cm long. If you measured allele frequencies at a single gene (locus) that contributes to overall length, would you expect this population to be in H-W equilibrium from one generation to the next?

Option B, No

Explanation:

Complete question is as follows -

You have spent time working with a population of beetles. Sexually mature males range in size from 2-6 cm in length. You realize that the females only mate with males that measure less than 3 cm long. If you measured allele frequencies at a single gene (locus) that contributes to overall length, would you expect this population to be in H-W equilibrium from one generation to the next?

Select one:

a. Yes

b. No

Solution -

No, because Hardy Weinberg's equilibrium theory is not applicable in practical scenario as it assumes that H-W equilibrium persists from one generation to the other only when these is no disturbing factor. These disturbing factors include - natural selection, non-random mating, genetic drift, gene flow and mutations. Since this theory works only in an idealized state where no such disturbances occur, it is very difficult to say that the beetle population can remain in H-W equilibrium. Also the females in the beetle population are selecting the males for mating thereby exhibiting sexual selection. Hence, H-W equilibrium will not be applicable.

Hence, option B