According to the Turbidity Gradient Hypothesis, what water condition do White Crappie generally tolerate and prefer?
Answer
Warmer, turbid (murky) waters
The Turbidity Gradient Hypothesis posits that the divergence between White and Black Crappie is heavily influenced by differential tolerance to suspended solids, or turbidity. White Crappie show a marked preference for, or at least a high tolerance for, water that is warmer and turbid, often inhabiting areas such as floodplains and backwaters where silt loads are higher. This ecological partitioning contrasts sharply with the Black Crappie, which specializes in clearer, more structured environments. The ability of *P. annularis* to thrive in these murky conditions provides a significant selective advantage over competitors that require higher water visibility for locating prey.
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