. An ecologist studying predators and their prey in White Sand Dunes State Park found that nocturnal pocket mice exist in light and dark morphs. In this area, 42% of the mice are dark, and 58% light. In a study of owls that ate the mice in this area, the ecologist found that 61% of the mice caught by owls were dark, and 39% were light. What is likely to happen to the pocket mouse population in the future and why? Is this evolution?

Explanation:

The nocturnal pocket mouse population is likely to decrease over time with particular reference to the dark morphs. If the dark morphs do not develop a strategy or a feature that will aid in defending themselves against these owls, the population will decline and tend to drift to a little increase of the light morphs. Subsequent removal of the dark morphs from the population might move the attention of the owl to the light ones since the light morphs are also been fed on but at reduced quantity when the dark morphs were present. Thus, it might allow the development of a feature or a defense strategy against the owls. It can also be lead to adaptive radiation: which is a form of evolution.