Question

If a trait A exists in 10% population of an asexually reproducing species and a trait B exists in 60% of the same population, which trait is likely to have arisen earlier?

Answer 1

Asexual reproduction: It is the process of production of offspring from the parent without involving any fusion of gametes or alteration in chromosome number.

Reason explaining which trait arose earlier:

• In asexual reproduction, traits generally come to one generation from the previous generation with almost zero variations. The members of the new generations are almost the clones of the members of the previous ones.
• The only variations that can occur are due to inaccuracy during DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) copying.
• Covering a large portion of the population by a trait takes time. Since trait B exists in 60% of the population, it must have arisen earlier than trait A.