A species of fox lives in the arctic where the ground is covered in white snow most of the year. These arctic foxes hunt rodents and other small mammals, while their predators include eagles, wolves, and polar bears. A mutation in its DNA causes a fox to have white fur rather than brown. Given this information, would you classify this mutation as a harmful, beneficial, or neutral mutation? Would this make the fox more or less likely to survive? Explain your answer.
The mutation that causes the arctic fox to have white fur rather than brown can be classified as a beneficial mutation. In the arctic environment where the ground is covered in white snow most of the year, having white fur provides the fox with better camouflage, making it less visible to its predators such as eagles, wolves, and polar bears. This increased camouflage makes the fox more likely to survive as it increases its chances of successfully hunting for food without being detected by predators.
Overall, the mutation for white fur in arctic foxes is beneficial as it enhances their chances of survival in their specific environment. This mutation improves the fox's ability to adapt to its surroundings and increases its fitness by providing a selective advantage.