In the context of natural selection and evolution, what does 'fitness' mean for crickets?

• A. The amount of food a cricket can consume in a day.
• B. The size of a cricket's territory.
• C. The physical strength and speed of a cricket compared to others.
• D. The ability of a cricket to survive and produce the most viable offspring in its environment.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of 'fitness' in the context of natural selection and evolution. In biology, 'fitness' refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment, passing on its genes to the next generation.
2. Evaluate the options provided in the question. The first option, 'The amount of food a cricket can consume in a day,' does not directly relate to reproduction or survival in the evolutionary sense.
3. Consider the second option, 'The size of a cricket's territory.' While territory size might influence survival, it is not a direct measure of fitness unless it leads to increased reproduction and survival of offspring.
4. Analyze the third option, 'The physical strength and speed of a cricket compared to others.' Physical traits like strength and speed may contribute to survival, but they are not the ultimate measure of fitness unless they result in more viable offspring.
5. Conclude with the correct answer: 'The ability of a cricket to survive and produce the most viable offspring in its environment.' This aligns with the biological definition of fitness, which emphasizes reproductive success and the passing on of genes to the next generation.