The data chart below shows the number of black and tan mice in a population in a field over five generations.
Trial
1
2
3
4
Number of Mice after Reproduction Tan Background)
Black Mice
Tan Mice
00000
000
QOC
ООХ
ОООО
00 00
Which of the following is the most likely explanation of the findings? (AKS 10b1)
A natural disaster occurred during the second generation causing a reduction in
the number of black mice and a bottleneck population of tan mice was left to
reproduce.
A random genetic mutation occurred in a black mouse in generation three,
leading to a decline in the population.
The predator of the mice hunts during the day when the tan mice are better
camouflaged in the environment so the black mice were eaten more frequently.
The tan mice were able to acquire the ability to adapt to the environment
quickly between the first and second generation.