Question

A finch population eats seeds that vary in size. There is variation in preference of seed type, and that variation positively correlates with beak size. Currently, stabilizing selection is operating on beak size with little or no directional selection. Suppose more large seeds were to become available. What is a likely result?

Answer 1

Answer:

If larger seed became available, directional selection will act in favor of bigger beak finch.

Explanation:

In the case that more large seeds were to become available, then directional selection will start to influence in the beak size, favoring those individuals with bigger beaks. Those individuals with shorter beaks will start to disappear as these animals won't be able to eat the larger seed.

Directional selection increases the proportion of individuals with an extreme phenotypic trait, in this case, large beaks.

This selection presents more frequently in those cases in which interactions between living organisms and the environment modify in the same direction.