Questions: Drag the type of selection to the situation most likely to cause it. - Small rodents with thin fur are unlikely to survive in harsh winters. Rodents with thick fur overheat during summer heat waves. - Small fish can avoid predators by hiding in the rocks. Larger individuals can be too big for the most common predator to eat. - A new predator comes to a pond with a lot of frogs. Darker colored frogs are less likely to be seen by the predator than light colored ones. - Birds with short feathers in muted colors are less likely to be seen by predators, but the females of the species prefer males with long, brightly colored feathers.

To address the question, we need to match each situation with the type of natural selection it most likely represents. Here are the types of selection mentioned:

1. Directional Selection: This occurs when one extreme phenotype is favored over others, causing a shift in the population's trait distribution.

2. Disruptive Selection: This occurs when extreme values for a trait are favored over intermediate values, potentially leading to two distinct groups.

3. Stabilizing Selection: This occurs when intermediate phenotypes are favored over extreme ones, reducing variation in a trait.

4. Sexual Selection: This occurs when certain traits increase an individual's chances of mating, often leading to traits that are advantageous for reproduction but not necessarily for survival.

Now, let's match each situation to the type of selection:

1. Small rodents with thin fur are unlikely to survive in harsh winters. Rodents with thick fur overheat during summer heat waves.

   This situation describes a scenario where both extremes (thin and thick fur) are selected against, favoring an intermediate fur thickness. This is an example of stabilizing selection.

2. Small fish can avoid predators by hiding in the rocks. Larger individuals can be too big for the most common predator to eat.

   Here, both small and large fish have advantages over medium-sized fish, which are more vulnerable to predation. This is an example of disruptive selection.

3. A new predator comes to a pond with a lot of frogs. Darker colored frogs are less likely to be seen by the predator than light colored ones.

   In this case, darker colored frogs are favored over lighter ones, indicating a shift towards one extreme phenotype. This is an example of directional selection.

4. Birds with short feathers in muted colors are less likely to be seen by predators, but the females of the species prefer males with long, brightly colored feathers.

   This situation involves traits that are advantageous for mating but not necessarily for survival, which is characteristic of sexual selection.

In summary, the matches are:

• Stabilizing selection: Small rodents with thin fur are unlikely to survive in harsh winters. Rodents with thick fur overheat during summer heat waves.
• Disruptive selection: Small fish can avoid predators by hiding in the rocks. Larger individuals can be too big for the most common predator to eat.
• Directional selection: A new predator comes to a pond with a lot of frogs. Darker colored frogs are less likely to be seen by the predator than light colored ones.
• Sexual selection: Birds with short feathers in muted colors are less likely to be seen by predators, but the females of the species prefer males with long, brightly colored feathers.