Traits Affect Populations Practice Test

A population of beetles has two shell-color traits: light (L) and dark (D). After a wildfire, the ground becomes darker for many years. Scientists counted beetles each year.

Year 0: L = 80, D = 20

Year 5: L = 50, D = 50

Year 10: L = 20, D = 80

Which explanation best connects trait variation to the population change using the evidence from the counts?

A population of insects shows trait variation in activity time: mostly daytime-active or mostly nighttime-active. Streetlights are installed near the habitat at Year 0 and remain on every night. Data show the percent of nighttime-active insects changes from 30% (Year 0) to 55% (Year 6). Bird counts near the lights increase, and observations show birds catch more daytime-active insects near lit areas. Traits can affect population outcomes. Which claim about traits is incorrect based on the evidence?