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Based on Kawecki's experiments on learning in fruit flies, would you expect fast learning to more readily evolve in populations characterized by high or low extrinsic mortality (assuming that it does provide an advantage)? Explain your reasoning.
On Jun 20, 2024
Based on Kawecki's experiments on learning in fruit flies, we would expect fast learning to more readily evolve in populations characterized by high extrinsic mortality. This is because in high extrinsic mortality environments, there is a greater pressure for individuals to quickly learn and adapt to their surroundings in order to survive and reproduce. In contrast, in low extrinsic mortality environments, there may be less urgency for individuals to learn quickly, as there is less risk of dying from external factors. Therefore, fast learning would provide a greater advantage in high extrinsic mortality populations, leading to its more rapid evolution in these environments.