Question

Which of the following is an example of natural selection ?

• A. Two species of cichild become less and less alike in the lake environment they both share.
• B. A variety of dogs is bred for their ability to hunt animals that dwell in holes in ground.
• C. Peacocks are selected for mating by females due to their bright plumage.
• D. The venom of a certain salamander species becoming more poisonous as predation by snakes increases.
• E. Sharks and dolphins share similar body shapes and living environments.

Answer 1

The correct option is D The venom of a certain salamander species becoming more poisonous as predation by snakes increases.

According to Darwin's concept of natural selection, as a struggle for existence, only those organisms could survive which have favourable variation to adapt with the environmental conditions. In other words, struggle for existence results in survival of the fittest which means that natural selection tends to favour those organisms which are most fit to survive with the reproductive age in a particular environment and to produce offspring.

Among all the options, the venom of a certain salamander species becoming more poisonous as predation by snakes increases, is an example of natural selection because here, as the predation of snake is increasing, the salamander species have become more poisonous to adapt to such environment.

So, the correct answer is 'The venom of a certain salamander species becoming more poisonous as predation by snakes increases'.