1) Of the microevolutionary factors of mutation, sexual selection and natural selection, what is the best explanation for the prevalence of the dark blue,t-check gold coloration in the population at Grid 306? Why is this the best reason for the persistence of the color pattern over the other microevolutionary factors?

2. What would likely happen to the prevalence of this color pattern, if females no longer selected for it in their mates?

3. Provide a hypothesis for two ways in which the Strideo magna population in Grid 306 might eventually develop into a new species.

4. Discuss how selective pressures and random genetic drift can affect the frequency of a particular allele in a population.

5. Hypothesize what the effect would be on the population if a predator was introduced into Grid 306 which was very effective in hunting the color morph.

Ans 1). Out of all the microevolutionary process, the prevalence of dark blue, t-check gold coloration in the population of grid 306 is due to SEXUAL SELECTION. The coloration is responsible for selection of males by females for mating. Any deviation from this coloration could cause rejection of such males and the stabilisation sexual selection for dark blue, t-check gold coloration will occur.

Ans 2). If females no longer look for this trait while selecting the males for mating, then this trait would probably get adulterated as many other coloration would get mix in the population. The survival and fitness of dark blue, t-check gold colored males would also get decrease because of generation of potential competition.

Ans 3). Two of the possible ways for developing into new species (speciation) could be: (1) Introduction of predator, which will prey upon the colored species and (2) Sudden change in climate, which will only select individuals who have survived in unfavorable condition.

Ans 4). Selection pressure would cause rapid vanishing of some alleles out of population. Unlike natural selection, genetic drift does not depend on an allele's beneficial or harmful effects. Instead, drift changes allele frequencies purely by chance, as random subsets of individuals (and the gametes of those individuals) are sampled to produce the next generation.

Ans 5). If a predator is introduced which hunts for colored individuals then, at one point of time, the frequency of colored morph allele will get so reduced that it gets extinct from the population. In this process, the population would develop into new species, i.e. speciation would occur.