A predator-prey arms race leads to which of the following?

A predator-prey arms race leads to which of the following?

• A. Extinction of one participant
• B. Unbiased random changes in traits
• C. Coevolutionary adaptations in both predator and prey
• D. Stabilizing selection in prey only

Answer: (C)

Reciprocal selective pressures between predator and prey drive coevolution. As predators become better at catching prey, those prey with defenses—faster speeds, better camouflage, alarms, or armor—are more likely to survive and reproduce. Those survivors pass on those advantageous traits, and predators respond with improved hunting tactics, speed, or stealth. This back-and-forth pushes both sides to continuously adapt, producing coevolutionary changes in both predator and prey. Extinction isn’t an inevitable outcome of this dynamic, and the process isn’t simply random changes—selection shapes traits based on how well they counter the other species. It also involves changes on both sides rather than stabilization of prey traits alone.

Reciprocal selective pressures between predator and prey drive coevolution. As predators become better at catching prey, those prey with defenses—faster speeds, better camouflage, alarms, or armor—are more likely to survive and reproduce. Those survivors pass on those advantageous traits, and predators respond with improved hunting tactics, speed, or stealth. This back-and-forth pushes both sides to continuously adapt, producing coevolutionary changes in both predator and prey. Extinction isn’t an inevitable outcome of this dynamic, and the process isn’t simply random changes—selection shapes traits based on how well they counter the other species. It also involves changes on both sides rather than stabilization of prey traits alone.