In the evolution of whelk-eating behaviour in crows, which of the following was optimized through natural selection?
A)the average number of drops required to break the shell
B)the average height a bird flew to drop a shell
C)the average total energy used to break shells
D)the average size of the shells dropped by the birds
E)the average thickness of the shells dropped by the birds

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The average total energy used to break shells would have been the trait optimized through natural selection as this would have been the most efficient means of obtaining the food resource. Birds that used less energy to break shells would have been more successful in obtaining the food and passing on their genes. The other traits listed may have been important factors in the behavior but are not necessarily the primary target of natural selection.

In the Evolution of Whelk-Eating Behaviour in Crows, Which of the Following