Pika Behavioral Adaptation and Natural Selection in Tibetan Ecosystem

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Task 7

The question asks for an explanation, based on evidence, of how natural selection leads to a behavioral adaptation that pikas possess to help them survive in the Tibetan ecosystem.

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Pikas live in the Tibetan Plateau, where the temperature decreases with altitude, as shown in the graph. They are small mammals that lack a large heart and large lungs. This makes them susceptible to heat loss in cold environments. Natural selection would favor pikas that exhibit behaviors that help them conserve energy and stay warm. One such behavior is living in systems of underground tunnels. These tunnels provide insulation from the cold and protection from predators. By spending much of their time in these tunnels, pikas can reduce their exposure to the harsh above-ground environment, conserve energy, and increase their chances of survival and reproduction. This behavioral adaptation, driven by natural selection, allows pikas to thrive in the challenging Tibetan ecosystem.

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