Assume that the flower population described in the previous problem undergoes a different pattern of predation. Flower-color determination and the starting frequencies of C₁ and C₂ are as described above, but the new insects attack yellow and red flowers, not orange flowers. As a result of the predation pattern, the relative fitness values are C₁C₁ = 0.40, C₁C₂ = 1.0, and C₂C₂ = 0.80. What are the genotype frequencies among the progeny of predation survivors?

Key Concepts

Genotype Frequencies

Genotype frequencies refer to the proportion of different genotypes in a population. In this context, it is essential to understand how the frequencies of the genotypes C₁C₁, C₁C₂, and C₂C₂ will change due to selective pressures, such as predation. These frequencies can be calculated using the Hardy-Weinberg principle or by applying fitness values to determine how many individuals of each genotype survive and reproduce.

Relative Fitness

Relative fitness is a measure of the reproductive success of a genotype compared to others in the population. In this scenario, the fitness values assigned to each genotype (C₁C₁ = 0.40, C₁C₂ = 1.0, C₂C₂ = 0.80) indicate how well each genotype survives predation. Understanding these values is crucial for predicting changes in genotype frequencies among the progeny of survivors.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is the process through which certain traits become more or less common in a population based on their impact on survival and reproduction. In this case, the predation pattern affects which flower colors (and thus genotypes) are more likely to survive. Analyzing how natural selection operates in this scenario helps in understanding the dynamics of genotype frequencies in response to environmental pressures.