speciation adaptation natural selection genetic mutation
I gave my students this multiple choice question: Parakeets are birds whose basic plumage color is green. However, parakeets exhibit a wide range of color both in the wild and in captivity. Which process is the source of the wide color variation observed in parakeet populations?

Only one answer is correct among these 4 choices:
- speciation
- adaptation
- natural selection
- genetic mutation

Could you tell me which one is correct?

genetic mutation