Question

2. Imaginary scenario: You are walking in an alpine meadow. You notice a population of "Icelandic Musky Marmots". This species is interesting because it exhibits two very distinct fur color phenotypes: 1) brown back with yellow belly, and 2) yellow all over with brown stripes. Individuals with the fur color combination brown back + yellow belly + brown stripes are never observed in the population. Individuals with the fur color combination yellow back + brown belly are never observed in the population. You propose two possible explanations for this pattern, which you will test in a set of experiments. a. Explanation 1: Natural selection is acting on fur color in this species, where the traits of background color and pattern are evolving in a correlated way. What experimental evidence would support this hypothesis, and exclude Explanation 2? b. Explanation 2: A genetic constraint acting on fur color in this species. The traits of background color and pattern are constrained by gene action. What evidence would support this hypothesis, and exclude Explanation 1? I