Answer to Question #107333 in Ecology for Mary

Question

For a trait like body size, why is plasticity adaptive? Why do alleles that allow for plasticity increase in populations via natural selection? Can I get an example?

Answer 1

Body size  is a phenotypic trait or adaptive trait, with a functional role in each individual organism, that is maintained and has evolved through natural selection. Selection and plasticity are two mechanisms that allow the adaptation of a population to a changing environment. Animals living in cold climates have large body size.