Which Variation Could Be Subject to Natural Selection

Question

Which variation could be subject to natural selection?
A) A dog with short legs due to malnutrition is able to crawl into holes better than his littermates.
B) A tree is not infested by a ground-dwelling beetle when the homeowner cuts the lower branches.
C) A hyena is born with a spotted fur pattern that allows it to hide in the grass better than its littermates.
D) A pigeon learns that when its keeper comes near it will get fed.

Accepted Answer

The spotted fur pattern of the hyena allows it to blend into its environment better, which could give it an advantage in avoiding predators or sneaking up on prey. This could lead to increased survival and reproductive success, making it subject to natural selection.

A, B, and D do not involve genetic variation or heritable traits that could be passed on to offspring, so they are less likely to be subject to natural selection.