Is the fitness of a phenotype dependent on the environment in which it is found?

Is the fitness of a phenotype dependent on the environment in which it is found?Is the fitness of a phenotype dependent on the environment in which it is found?Yes the fitness of a particular genotype is environment dependent



Example 1 ) Gypsy moth in London 鈥?There are two vriations in the population of these moths a) Brown b) Black ( mutant )

Before the Industrial revolution the brown moths were more in number as they would easily camouflage themselves against the brown tree bark and the birds would find it difficult to pick them.

The black moths, on the on the other hand, were easy targets as they stood out against the brown tree bark.

So in that environment the brown color was an advantage and black, disadvantage.



Black Gypsy Moth ---

http://www.gardensafari.net/pics/nachtvl鈥?/a>



Against fair back ground -

http://ukmoths.org.uk/images/GypsyMothMa鈥?/a>



After the Industrial revolution, the situation changed. Trees were covered with black industrial soot and the black moths were now difficult to spot and there population increased.

The brown moths became easy prey as they became prominent against the dark tree bark!!( From Darwin's book.)



Brown Gypsy Moth and black against Darker back ground--

http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/plant/ppc鈥?/a>



Example 2 ) Human species is physically very weak against many stronger animals , still it rules over them due to its superior intellect.



Amongst human population an intelligent person is preferred as a mate by women rather than a brawny, muscular one!!! This is because to have sharper intelligence is an advantage in the modern society.Is the fitness of a phenotype dependent on the environment in which it is found?An individuals fitness is how well an individual contributed its genes to the next generation. The bottom line is how many successful offspring an individual can pass on to the next generation. In a heard of water buffalo you may have several different situations concerning these animals. One is a tough, strong bull, one a middle of the pack coward, one crippled by a lion attack several years ago, and one born as the runt of a litter. If the heard is attacked by lions, the crippled one may be cornered and killed. Along with him the strong leader is also killed. So based on this scenario the ones that are left will mate and pass their genes on to the next generation making them more fit than the two that were killed.

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