* Variation: The deer population has variation, with some individuals having white spots and others being brown.
* Selection Pressure: The forest fire acts as a strong selection pressure. It eliminates a significant portion of the population, creating a survival advantage for those better suited to the changed environment.
* Differential Survival: The deer with white spots might be more visible against the burned landscape, making them more vulnerable to predators or less able to find food. Brown deer would likely have a higher survival rate.
* Inheritance: If the brown deer survive and reproduce, they will pass on their genes for brown coloration, increasing the proportion of brown deer in future generations.
In summary, the forest fire acts as a selective agent, favoring the brown deer and leading to a shift in the population's genetic makeup over time.