Examples of Natural

Selection
MUNEER AHMAD A L I YA B AT O O L
ASIF ALI A R B I S H FAT I M A
J A W E R I A B AT O O L RAZIA ISHAQUE
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1. Peppered Moths (Biston betularia)

• During the Industrial Revolution, the dark-

colored variant of peppered moths became
more prevalent in industrial areas due to
pollution.

• The lighter-colored moths were easily

spotted and eaten by predators, while the
dark-colored moths had better camouflage
against the soot-covered trees.

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2. Darwin's Finches (Geospizinae)

• Darwin's finches on the Galapagos Islands display variations in beak

size and shape, which are closely related to their diets.

• For example, finches with robust, thick

beaks are better suited for cracking hard
seeds, while those with slender, pointed
beaks are more adept at catching insects.

• Natural selection has favored beak

variations that enhance feeding efficiency
in different food sources.
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3. Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria

• Overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led

to the development of antibiotic-resistant
strains of bacteria.

• Natural selection favors those bacteria that

possess genetic mutations conferring
resistance to antibiotics, allowing them to
survive and reproduce, while non-resistant
bacteria are eliminated.

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4. Warrior Ants
• Warrior ants, like many other social insects, live
in colonies with specialized roles.
• The colonies consist of different castes, including
worker ants and soldier ants.
• Natural selection acts on warrior ants by favoring individuals with traits
that enhance their ability to protect the colony from threats or gather
resources.
• Ants with stronger jaws, sharper mandibles, or more effective chemical
defenses may have a survival advantage, allowing them to pass on their
genes to the next generation.

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5. Giraffe Neck Length
• In areas with limited foliage, giraffes with longer
necks have an advantage as they can reach
higher leaves for food.

• Natural selection has favored giraffes with

longer necks over time, as they are more likely
to survive and reproduce, passing on their
genes for longer necks to the next generation.

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6. Mimicry in Butterflies
• Some butterfly species have evolved to mimic the appearance of toxic
or distasteful species to avoid predation.

• Predators learn to associate the bright coloration of the toxic species

with unpleasant experiences, and the harmless butterflies that
resemble them benefit from reduced predation due to this natural
selection.

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7. Arctic Hare Camouflage

• Arctic hares have evolved white fur to blend

in with their snowy environment, providing
them with better camouflage against
predators like wolves and foxes.

• The hares with better camouflage are more

likely to survive and reproduce, passing on
their genes for white fur and improving the
overall adaptation of the population.

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8. Deer Mouse

• These mice face different selective pressures depending on their

environment.
• For instance, in areas with predators, individuals with better camouflage
or agility may have a higher chance of survival.
• In regions with limited food resources, mice with more efficient foraging
strategies or better metabolism might have a reproductive advantage.
• Natural selection acts on these traits, promoting the
survival and reproduction of individuals that are
better adapted to their specific environments.

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9. Beak Length in Hummingbirds
• In regions where flowers have long, tubular shapes, hummingbirds
with longer beaks can access nectar more efficiently.

• Natural selection favors

hummingbirds with longer beaks, as
they are better adapted to obtain
food from these specialized flowers,
increasing their chances of survival
and reproduction.

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10. Cheetah Speed
• Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds of
up to 70 miles per hour.

• The individuals with greater speed have a

higher success rate in catching prey,
which provides them with more food and
increases their chances of survival and
reproduction.

• This has led to the selection of cheetahs

with exceptional speed.
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11. Drought Resistance in Plants

• In areas prone to drought, plants with adaptations like deep root

systems and reduced leaf surface area are more likely to survive and
reproduce.

• Natural selection favors plants that can

conserve water and withstand
prolonged periods of drought, enabling
them to persist in arid environments.

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12. Nylon-Eating Bacteria

• In the 1970s, scientists discovered a strain of bacteria that had

evolved the ability to digest nylon, a synthetic material that did not
exist in nature until the mid-20th century.
• Through random mutations, some bacteria acquired enzymes that
allowed them to break down nylon, providing them with a new food
source.
• These bacteria had a selective advantage
over their counterparts, as they could
survive and reproduce more effectively in
environments contaminated with nylon.
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13. Cryptic Coloration in Chameleons

• Chameleons have the ability to change the

color of their skin, allowing them to blend in
with their surroundings and avoid predators.

• Natural selection has favored individuals with

better camouflage abilities, as those with
effective cryptic coloration are more likely to
survive and pass on their genes for this
adaptation.

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14. Galápagos Tortoise Shell Shape

• The Galápagos tortoises have different shell
shapes depending on the island they inhabit.
• Tortoises on islands with abundant vegetation
have domed shells, while those on islands with
sparse vegetation have saddleback-shaped
shells.
• This variation in shell shape is a result of natural selection, as different
shell forms provide advantages for feeding and reaching vegetation in
different environments.
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15. Resistance to Pesticides in Insects

• Insects such as mosquitoes and agricultural

pests have developed resistance to pesticides
through genetic mutations.
• Over time, the resistant individuals survive
exposure to pesticides, while susceptible
individuals are eliminated.
• This leads to the dominance of pesticide-
resistant insects in subsequent generations.

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16. Peacock
• Peacocks are known for their elaborate and colorful tail feathers, which
play a role in sexual selection.
• Female peafowl (peahens) are attracted to males with larger, more
vibrant tails.
• The peacock's tail is subject to natural selection because it influences
mating success.

• Males with more extravagant tails are often seen as healthier or fitter,
signaling their ability to survive despite the added burden of a large tail.

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17. Adaptations in High-Altitude Species
• Species living in high-altitude environments, like the Himalayan snow
leopard, have adaptations that allow them to thrive in low-oxygen
conditions.

• These adaptations include larger lung

capacity, increased red blood cell production,
and a more efficient oxygen-carrying capacity.
• Natural selection favors individuals with these
traits, enhancing their survival and
reproduction in high-altitude habitats.
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18. Mimicry in Coral Snakes
• Coral snakes have distinct red, yellow, and black banding patterns on
their bodies.
• Some nonvenomous snakes, such as the
scarlet kingsnake, have evolved similar
color patterns to mimic the appearance
of coral snakes.
• This mimicry provides protection against
predators as they are often mistaken for
the venomous coral snakes, resulting in
reduced predation.

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19. Darwin's Orchid and Pollinator Coevolution
• The Madagascar star orchid (Angraecum sesquipedale) has an
exceptionally long nectar spur, reaching up to 35 centimeters in length.
• This orchid is pollinated by the long-tongued hawk moth, which has a
proboscis long enough to reach the nectar at the bottom of the spur.
• The coevolutionary relationship between the orchid and the moth is an
example of natural selection driving the development of specialized
traits in both species.

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20. Human
• Human evolution has been shaped by natural
selection throughout history.
• Various traits have been favored in different
environments.
• For example, darker skin pigmentation provided
protection against harmful UV radiation in regions
with intense sunlight.
• Moreover, cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and social
skills, have likely been subject to selection pressures that influenced
survival and reproductive success.
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21. Adaptive Coloration in Arctic Foxes
• Arctic foxes exhibit a color change in their fur, transitioning from a
brown or gray coat in the summer to a white coat in winter.
• This adaptation allows them to blend
in with their snowy surroundings,
providing effective camouflage for
hunting prey and avoiding predators.
• Natural selection favors individuals
with the ability to change coat color,
increasing their survival and
reproductive success.
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22. Camouflage in Prey Species

• Many prey species, such as chameleons,

stick insects, and leaf insects, have evolved
remarkable camouflage adaptations.
• They resemble their surroundings, whether
it's leaves, twigs, or other elements in their
environment.
• Natural selection favors individuals that
blend in effectively, making it difficult for
predators to detect and capture them.

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23. Bacterial Bioluminescence
• Some marine bacteria, such as Vibrio fischeri,
exhibit bioluminescence.
• These bacteria produce light through a chemical
reaction, which allows them to emit light and
potentially attract prey or communicate with
each other.
• Natural selection favors the individuals with the
ability to produce light, enhancing their chances
of survival and successful interactions in their
marine environment.

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24. Herbicide Resistance in Weeds
• When herbicides are used extensively to control weeds, some individual
plants may possess genetic variations that confer resistance to the
chemicals.

• As a result, these resistant plants are more likely

to survive and reproduce, passing on their
resistance genes to the next generation.
• Over time, this can lead to an increase in the
proportion of herbicide-resistant weeds in the
population, making it more challenging to
control them effectively.
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