Question

A population of mussels was observed in a particular ecosystem. Crabs have recently been observed occupying this ecosystem, which is a novel environment for this crab species. It was found that crabs preferred these mussels as their favorite food. A few of these mussels developed a thicker shell to protect themselves from crabs found in the region. Which three statements does this adaptation suggest? A change in the environment led to a new distribution of traits in a population. The trait of shell thickening underwent natural selection. The trait for shell thickening will not be selected by future mussel generations. Half of the mussel population developed the trait while the other half did not. Mussels with the shell thickening trait had a greater chance of survival.

Answer 1

Answer:

In simple conclusion

Explanation:

a b e

Answer 2

Mussels are molluscans and are freshwater animals. The change in the environment led to new traits of mussels, it underwent natural selection and the thick shells have high chances of survival.

What is natural selection?

Natural selection is a process of nature that eliminates the organism with less survival and unfit traits while selecting the organisms with better traits of survival in the altered conditions.

The arrival or the introduction of the crabs in the environment altered the previous habitat of the mussels and led to the adaptation of the better trait quality in the mussel species.

The trait of the thick shells underwent natural selection as they were favoured for the changed conditions. The mussel having thick shells have high chances of survival over thin-shelled mussels as the crab will find it hard to attack the thick-shelled mussels.

Therefore, option A. change in environment, option B. natural selection and option E. chances of survival are the correct statements.

Learn more about the natural selection here:

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