In some areas in northern Virginia the frequency of the blac…
In some areas in northern Virginia the frequency of the black phase of the gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is 25%. One thought is that the black coloration helps protect squirrels from predators (more difficult to see in shady areas). You find that over the course of a year 23 out of 67 gray squirrels are caught by predators, whereas for black squirrels 13 out of 57 squirrels are caught by predators. What is the overall probability of any squirrel surviving? (Just FYI – not important for answering the question – black squirrels are the result of a single allele change – sort of like black leopards or black jaguars).