Can the male depicted be the only individual the female mated with for the offspring, based on inherited traits?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the male depicted is the only male the female could have mated with to produce the offspring shown in the images. It requires applying knowledge of inheritance, specifically dominant and recessive traits, to analyze the phenotypes of the offspring to determine potential parentage.
Answer
The Sepia, Brown male cannot be the only father.
The male with Sepia and Brown traits cannot be the only individual the female mated with because offspring exhibit Ebony traits, not possessed by him.
Answer for screen readers
The male with Sepia and Brown traits cannot be the only individual the female mated with because offspring exhibit Ebony traits, not possessed by him.
More Information
In fruit flies, traits like Sepia body and Ebony body are inherited according to specific genetic rules. If offspring display traits from both potential fathers, it rules out the possibility of just one father.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming one trait can come from a single parent without considering that some traits require the contribution from both parents.
Sources
- Inheritance of Traits by Offspring Follows Predictable Rules - Nature - nature.com
- Pedigrees review (article) | Heredity - Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
- 8.4: Simple Inheritance - Biology LibreTexts - bio.libretexts.org
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