A population of blue and red beetle living in a bush were accidentally stamped by an elephant. This killed majority of red beetles and the population of blue beetles was increased. This is due to ____.

genetic drift

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natural selection

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phylogenetic variation

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artificial selection

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Solution

The correct option is A genetic drift
Sudden change in any population is known as genetic drift or Sewall Wright effect. It is a variation in the relative frequency of genes of a small population, owing to the chance of disappearance of particular genes due to accident or pure chance. These variations may or may not be useful for the bearer as they are not naturally selected. An elephant stamping the bush is an event which occured accidentally. This led to the change in frequency of a particular gene/ trait, in this case the blue coloured beetle.

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Similar questions

Q. A population of blue and red beetle living in a bush were accidentally stamped by an elephant. This killed majority of red beetles and the population of blue beetles was increased. This is due to ____.

Q. In a population of red beetles thriving in a bush, a green variant arises. The green beetle can easily escape the crow (predator). Identify the correct statement based on this information.

Red-coloured beetles are living on green leaves of bushes. These beetles increase in numbers by sexual reproduction. Crows, being their predators, consume beetles and regulate their population. During reproduction, few beetles develop green colour instead of red colour. This variation in body colour gives green coloured beetles an advantage and over the years, the number of green beetles in the population will increase generation after generation.
Which of the following statements are correct regarding the given paragraph:
(i) The given paragraph depicts an example of "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny".
(ii) Artificial selection is exerted by crows.
(iii) Natural selection is exerted by crows.
(iv) More red-coloured beetles will be eaten up.
(v) The given paragraph depicts an example of convergent evolution.

Q. Read the given paragraph carefully:
Red-coloured beetles are living on green leaves of bushes. These beetles increase in numbers by sexual reproduction. Crows, being their predators, consume beetles and regulate their population. During reproduction, few beetles develop green colour instead of red colour. This variation in body colour gives green coloured beetles an advantage and over the years, the number of green beetles in the population will increase generation after generation.
Which of the following statements are correct regarding the given paragraph:
(i) The given paragraph depicts an example of "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny".
(ii) Artificial selection is exerted by crows.
(iii) Natural selection is exerted by crows.
(iv) More red-coloured beetles will be eaten up.
(v) The given paragraph depicts an example of convergent evolution.

Q. A group of red beetles lives on green leaves of a tree. Beetles multiply through sexual reproduction. One day, some green beetles are seen among the red beetles. Green beetles breed to produce green progeny. Crows on the tree eat beetles. The colour composition of the beetle population is likely to change in the following manner.

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