Question

Spirit bears belong to a subpopulation of black bears (Ursus americanus) found in the temperate rainforests of British Columbia's mid-coast region. The unique trait of the spirit bear is their white fur, which is caused by a recessive allele at a single locus (i.e. a single gene). Research suggests the white fur may be advantageous as it improves the bears' success at capturing salmon (the salmon don't see them coming!). However, the white fur also makes juvenile bears easier to spot by predatory cougars and wolves. As a result, spirit bears may have increased juvenile mortality, but those that survive are more well-nourished and have greater longevity than the average black-coloured bear. Q2 A.) White fur provides both fitness advantages and disadvantages. What is this an example of, and why do such traits persist in a population?

          Spirit bears belong to a subpopulation of black bears (Ursus
americanus) found in the temperate rainforests of British
Columbia's mid-coast region. The unique trait of the spirit bear is
their white fur, which is caused by a recessive allele at a single
locus (i.e. a single gene). Research suggests the white fur may be
advantageous as it improves the bears' success at capturing salmon
(the salmon don't see them coming!). However, the white fur also
makes juvenile bears easier to spot by predatory cougars and
wolves. As a result, spirit bears may have increased juvenile
mortality, but those that survive are more well-nourished and have
greater longevity than the average black-coloured bear.
Q2 A.) White fur provides both fitness advantages and
disadvantages. What is this an example of, and why do such traits
persist in a population?

Added by Fernando B.

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