What might cause a duckling to be hatched with web- less feet if other ducklings in the population all have webbed feet?

A duckling may be hatched without webbed feet if it inherits a recessive gene for this trait. In most species of ducks, webbed feet are a dominant trait, meaning that if a duckling inherits at least one copy of the webbed feet gene, it will have webbed feet. However, if a duckling inherits two copies of the recessive gene for webless feet, it will not have webbed feet.

This situation can arise if both of the duckling's parents carry the recessive gene for webless feet, even though they themselves have webbed feet. If each parent contributes a copy of the recessive gene to the duckling, the duckling will inherit two copies of the gene and will be hatched without webbed feet.

The frequency of webless feet in a duck population is determined by the frequency of the recessive gene for this trait. If the recessive gene is rare in the population, then webless feet will be rare. However, if the recessive gene is more common, then webless feet will be more common.

Webless feet can also occur as a result of genetic mutations. A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism. Mutations can occur spontaneously or they can be caused by environmental factors such as radiation or chemicals. If a mutation occurs in a gene that is involved in the development of webbed feet, it can lead to webless feet.

Webless feet can also occur as a result of environmental factors. For example, if a duckling is raised in a dry environment, its webbed feet may not develop properly. This is because webbed feet are an adaptation for swimming, and they are not necessary in a dry environment.