Natural selection should favour the highest proportion of juxtamedullary nephrons in which of the following species?
A)a river otter
B)a mouse species living in a tropical rain forest
C)a mouse species living in a temperate broadleaf forest
D)a mouse species living in a desert
E)a beaver

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A mouse species living in a desert would be under strong selective pressure to conserve water. Juxtamedullary nephrons are specialized for water conservation and have a long nephron loop that extends deep into the medulla of the kidney. Therefore, natural selection should favour the highest proportion of juxtamedullary nephrons in a mouse species living in a desert environment.

Natural Selection Should Favour the Highest Proportion of Juxtamedullary Nephrons