The rough-skinned newt, which lives in western North America, stores a poison in its skin and is avoided by predators. However, several populations of garter snakes have undergone one or a few mutations that enablethem to tolerate the toxin, and these snakes eat the newts with no ill effects. How has natural selection affected this predator–prey relationship? Based on what you have learned about evolutionary arms races, predict what may happen to the newts and the poison-resistant garter snakes over time.
The rough-skinned newt, which lives in western North America, stores a poison in its skin and is avoided by predators. However, several populations of garter snakes have undergone one or a few mutations that enablethem to tolerate the toxin, and these snakes eat the newts with no ill effects. How has natural selection affected this predator–prey relationship? Based on what you have learned about evolutionary arms races, predict what may happen to the newts and the poison-resistant garter snakes over time.
Chapter40: Population Ecology
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CT
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The rough-skinned newt, which lives in western North America, stores a poison in its skin and is avoided by predators. However, several populations of garter snakes have undergone one or a few mutations that enable
them to tolerate the toxin, and these snakes eat the newts with no ill effects. How has natural selection affected this predator–prey relationship? Based on what you have learned about evolutionary arms races, predict what may happen to the newts and the poison-resistant garter snakes over time.
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