To evaluate if beetle color is subject to natural selection, which experiment would best assess survival rates?

The chosen option effectively addresses the goal of evaluating whether beetle color is under the influence of natural selection by directly measuring survival rates based on color variation. In this context, the critical factor is understanding how different colors of beetles fare in their environment, particularly regarding their ability to survive to maturity. By testing and observing which color morphs reach maturity, researchers can infer whether certain colors confer a survival advantage or disadvantage.

This approach aligns with the foundational principles of natural selection, which emphasize differential survival and reproduction based on specific traits. A successful demonstration of color-related survival would suggest that the trait is influenced by natural selection, as those beetles with colors that enhance their survival will be more likely to reach reproductive age and pass on their genes.

The other choices do not directly measure survival rates:

• Assessing heritability of color informs about genetic transmission but does not directly link to survival outcomes in the environment.
• Measuring overall population size does not provide insight into the survival of specific color variants; it merely captures the total number of beetles, irrespective of how color impacts their success in survival.
• Assessing reproductive advantages focuses on mating success rather than directly examining how color affects the chance of surviving in the wild.

Thus, the selected experiment, by