What is one of the basic conditions for natural selection?

The fundamental condition for natural selection hinges on the existence of adaptive variation among individuals within a population. This variation is crucial because it provides the raw material upon which natural selection acts. Individuals that possess traits advantageous for survival and reproduction in a particular environment are more likely to pass those traits on to the next generation. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population, leading to evolutionary changes.

For natural selection to occur effectively, it is necessary that these variations have a tangible impact on the fitness of individuals. If all individuals were identical or if there were no varying traits that confer advantages or disadvantages, then there would be no basis for selection to act upon, and evolution would stagnate. Adaptive variation ensures that there is a diversity of traits in the population, some of which may better suit the environment, thereby influencing reproductive success and survival.

While the other conditions mentioned, such as limitations on reproductive success and absence of competition, can play roles in the broader context of evolution and population dynamics, they do not encapsulate the defining principle of how natural selection operates. Uniform offspring production fails to account for the variability that is vital for evolutionary processes.