In laboratory experiments, short-lived nematodes outcompete long-lived nematodes. This provides evidence that

A) natural selection does not favor long life for long life's sake.
B) longevity-extending mutations lower early reproductive fitness.
C) natural selection favors longer lived organisms.
D) a and b
E) a, b, and c

Longevity-Extending Mutations

Genetic mutations that have been identified to increase lifespan or significantly extend the healthy, disease-free period of an organism's life.

Reproductive Fitness

The ability of an individual or genotype to reproduce successfully and pass genes to the next generation.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, driving evolutionary change.