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Yellow buntings are birds that feed on butterflies, including Aglaisurticae, a species of butterfly that has bright circular coloring on its wing called an eyespot. Biologists have hypothesized that eyespots mimic owl eyes. Owls are predators of yellow buntings. In laboratory experiments using yellow buntings captured from the wild and held in captivity, individual birds were observed during sessions in which they were given butterflies that had either not be treated or had been treated to remove their eyespots. Yellow buntings were scored according to whether they showed fleeing behavior when they encountered butterflies of both types. The data were compiled into a table. How do these data support the claim that one species’ response to information can affect natural selection in another species? a. Comparison of the total number of encounters shows that more birds responded to the eyespot, a trait that will likely be selected against in natural populations of the butterfly. b. Comparison of the number of birds attacking butterflies with and without eyespots suggests that the presence of an eyespot makes butterflies more visible to predators resulting in selection against the trait. c. Comparison of the number of birds fleeing from butterflies with and without eyespots indicates that the eyespot trait has been disfavored because this trait makes the butterflies stand out to predators. d. Comparison of the number of birds fleeing from butterflies with and without eyespots suggests that selection has occurred in butterflies in favor of the eyespot trait, which mimics a predator of the bird.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Hypothesis

Biologists hypothesize that the eyespot on the wings of Aglaisurticae butterflies mimics owl eyes. Owls are predators of yellow buntings, and it is suggested that this mimicry could affect the behavior of yellow buntings.

02

Understand the Experiment

Yellow buntings are captured from the wild and observed in a lab setting. They are given butterflies with and without eyespots to see how they respond. The specific behavior being observed is fleeing.

03

Analyze the Data

The data shows the number of yellow buntings that flee when encountering butterflies with eyespots versus those without. If more birds flee from butterflies with eyespots, it indicates they are reacting to the eyespot as if it were a threat.

04

Connect Behavior to Natural Selection

The birds' fleeing behavior suggests that the mimicry of owl eyes by the eyespots may confer a survival advantage to the butterflies. This would lead to selection in favor of butterflies with eyespots, as they are less likely to be eaten.

05

Choose the Best Explanation

Among the given options, the explanation that aligns with the observed data and the hypothesis is: 'Comparison of the number of birds fleeing from butterflies with and without eyespots suggests that selection has occurred in butterflies in favor of the eyespot trait, which mimics a predator of the bird.'

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Mimicry in Butterflies

Mimicry is an evolutionary adaptation where one species evolves to resemble another species. This adaptation helps the species gain an advantage in survival or reproduction. In the context of the exercise, Aglaisurticae butterflies exhibit mimicry through eyespots on their wings, which resemble the eyes of owls, a natural predator of yellow buntings. When yellow buntings see these eyespots, they mistake them for owl eyes and flee, thinking an owl is nearby. This fleeing behavior helps the butterflies avoid being eaten.
This kind of mimicry is known as Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species mimics a harmful or dangerous one to deter predators. Eyespots act as a visual cue tricking the predator into thinking they are facing a more dangerous animal. This can lead to a higher survival rate for the butterflies with eyespots, driving natural selection in favor of this trait.
Over time, more butterflies with effective mimicry traits will survive and reproduce, spreading the trait within the population. This makes mimicry a powerful tool in natural selection, enhancing an organism's likelihood of surviving and passing on its genes.

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predator-prey interactions play a crucial role in shaping the behaviors and physical traits of both predators and their prey. In our example with yellow buntings, the butterflies with eyespots have developed a trait that helps them avoid predation. Similarly, the reaction of the birds to flee at the sight of the eyespot is a behavioral adaptation to avoid predation themselves.
These interactions result in an evolutionary arms race, where prey species develop new strategies to evade predators and, in turn, predators develop new strategies to capture them. This is a dynamic process driving continuous adaptation and counter-adaptation in both species.
For instance, if yellow buntings eventually learn that the eyespots on butterflies are harmless, they may stop fleeing from them. This would reduce the survival advantage of the butterflies with eyespots, potentially leading to a decrease in this trait over time. Conversely, if the eyespot continues to be an effective deterrent, it will be positively selected for, illustrating the powerful influence of predator-prey interactions on natural selection.

Behavioral Response

Behavioral responses are actions taken by organisms as a reaction to external stimuli. These reactions can significantly impact the survival and reproductive success of organisms. In the exercise, the behavioral response of yellow buntings to flee when encountering butterflies with eyespots is a defensive mechanism.
This behavior is likely an evolved response to avoid predation by owls, as yellow buntings have associated the sight of eyes resembling owl eyes with danger. Such behavioral adaptations can provide immediate survival benefits, but they also influence evolutionary processes over longer periods.
For the butterflies, the birds' behavioral response to flee upon seeing eyespots can be a strong selective force. If butterflies without eyespots are more frequently attacked and eaten, those with eyespots will have a survival advantage. This leads to a higher likelihood of butterflies with eyespots reproducing and passing this advantageous trait onto their offspring.

• Behavioral responses can be innate or learned over time.
• These responses can affect an organism's fitness and influence natural selection.
• Studying these behaviors helps us understand the intricate relationships between species and their environments.