Asked by Khushi Masson on Jul 18, 2024
Verified
Hopi Hoekstra and colleagues were interested in whether lighter coat coloration arose in Gulf and Atlantic Coast populations through convergent evolution. How did they test this, and what did they find?
Lighter Coat Coloration
A color adaptation in some animals that can aid in camouflage, heat regulation, or signaling, often influenced by geographical location or environmental conditions.
Convergent Evolution
The independent evolution of similar traits in species of different lineages, leading to similarities in structure and function despite genetic differences.
Gulf and Atlantic Coast
The coastal regions adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, often referring to the southeastern coast of the United States.
- Describe the concept of convergent evolution and how it can be tested.
- Interpret how evolutionary theories apply to specific cases of animal behavior and physical traits.
Verified Answer
Their findings revealed that the lighter coat coloration in Gulf and Atlantic Coast populations did indeed arise through convergent evolution. They found that the same genetic mutations were responsible for the lighter coat color in both populations, indicating that natural selection had favored this trait independently in each population. Additionally, they found that the lighter coat color provided better camouflage in the sandy coastal habitats, supporting the idea that environmental factors drove the evolution of this trait.
Overall, their research provided strong evidence for convergent evolution of lighter coat coloration in Gulf and Atlantic Coast populations, highlighting the role of natural selection and environmental factors in shaping the evolution of this trait.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the concept of convergent evolution and how it can be tested.
- Interpret how evolutionary theories apply to specific cases of animal behavior and physical traits.
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