Question

In a given environment, moderately colored lizards are better able to hide from predators than light-colored or dark-colored lizards. Over time, both light- and dark-colored lizards are selected, increasing the frequency of the moderately colored phenotype. This is an example of what type of selection?

a.artificial selection

b.directional selection

c.disruptive selection

d.stabilized selection

Answer 1

Let me explain the types of selection:

Answer 2

Artificial selection is when things created or done by humans put selective pressure on the environment. That is the least likely choice here, so you can eliminate it.

Answer 3

Directional selection makes the number of organisms at one end of the spectrum much larger than the others. Here this is not happening, so this answer choice is incorrect.

Answer 4

Disruptive selection makes the number of organisms at both ends of the spectrum much larger, but reduces the number of the organisms in the middle. This is the exact opposite of what we want.

Answer 5

This leaves us with one answer choice: D - stabilizing selection.
Stabilizing selection occurs when the number of organisms at the middle of the spectrum become much larger, reducing the number of organisms at the far ends of the spectrum. Because the number of organisms in the center (moderately colored) become more common, the frequency of the moderately colored phenotype increases.

Answer 6

Therefore, D is the right answer.
I hope this helped, @DoShKa_SyRiA !
Here is a diagram for reference: http://www.blc.arizona.edu/courses/schaffer/182/Types-of-Selection.jpeg