Q
QuestionBiology

Ancestors of ducks did not have webbed feet. In terms of natural selection, explain how the webbed feet could have evolved.
6 months agoReport content

Answer

Full Solution Locked

Sign in to view the complete step-by-step solution and unlock all study resources.

Step 1
Here's a step-by-step explanation of how webbed feet could have evolved in ducks through natural selection:

Step 2
: Initial Variation

In early duck ancestors, individual birds would have had slight variations in foot structure. Some individuals might have had slightly wider or more spread-out toes compared to others due to natural genetic variations.

Final Answer

Webbed feet evolved through a gradual process of natural selection, where individuals with slightly wider-spread toes had survival and reproductive advantages in aquatic environments, progressively leading to fully webbed feet in modern ducks.