Let's analyze the data provided step by step to determine which statement best describes the results of this experiment.
### Light-colored trees:
- Starting population:
- Light-colored moths: 20
- Dark-colored moths: 20
- Ending population:
- Light-colored moths: 25
- Dark-colored moths: 15
Changes in the population in the light-colored environment:
- Light-colored moths increased from 20 to 25, an increase of \(25 - 20 = 5\) moths.
- Dark-colored moths decreased from 20 to 15, a decrease of \(15 - 20 = -5\) moths.
### Dark-colored trees:
- Starting population:
- Light-colored moths: 20
- Dark-colored moths: 20
- Ending population:
- Light-colored moths: 5
- Dark-colored moths: 35
Changes in the population in the dark-colored environment:
- Light-colored moths decreased from 20 to 5, a decrease of \(5 - 20 = -15\) moths.
- Dark-colored moths increased from 20 to 35, an increase of \(35 - 20 = 15\) moths.
### Summary:
- In the environment with light-colored trees, light-colored moths increased by 5, while dark-colored moths decreased by 5.
- In the environment with dark-colored trees, light-colored moths decreased significantly by 15, while dark-colored moths increased by 15.
### Conclusion:
From the given data, it is clear that:
- The light-colored moths survived better in the environment with light-colored trees, as evidenced by their population increase.
- The dark-colored moths survived better in the environment with dark-colored trees, as evidenced by their population increase.
Given these observations, statement B is the best description:
B. The dark-colored moths were more fit.
This implies that dark-colored moths had a higher fitness in the environment with dark-colored trees, allowing their population to increase in that specific environment.
