Question

In an asexually reproducing species, if a trait X exists in 5% of a population and trait Y exists in 70% of the same population, which of the two trait is likely to have arisen earlier? Give reason.

Answer 1

Trait which exist in 70% of Population occurred earlier

Trait which exist in 5% of Population occurred later

Explanation:

In asexual reproduction there is no mating or mixing of genetics.

Asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information.

There is very little genetic variation between parent and offspring

It takes large amount of time for different trait to develop in case of asexual reproduction

Hence, if a trait exist in 70% of population, it would have arisen earlier as it would have been replicated over more number of generations

Trait which exist in only 5% of population would have arisen much later and replicated over less number of generations