Fatter sociable weaver birds spend more time foraging where they are vulnerable to predation,are more attractive to predators,and are less likely to escape an attack.Conversely,thin birds risk starvation.Therefore,sociable weaver of an intermediate weight have a selective advantage.This is an example of ____ selection.
A)frequent
B)directional
C)disruptive
D)stabilizing
E)mutational

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stabilizing selection occurs when individuals with intermediate phenotypes have a selective advantage over individuals with extreme phenotypes. In this scenario, birds that are of intermediate weight have an advantage over birds that are either too thin or too fat. This is because the birds that are too thin risk starvation, while the birds that are too fat are more vulnerable to predation. The sociable weaver birds that fall in the intermediate range are more likely to survive and reproduce, thus stabilizing the population towards this phenotype.

Fatter Sociable Weaver Birds Spend More Time Foraging Where They