Final answer:
A wild allele contributes to the most common phenotype in a natural population and is considered the standard, with variants arising through mutations, genetic drift, or natural selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, a wild allele is indeed one that is thought to contribute to the most common phenotype within a natural population.
This wild type is the version of a gene that is most commonly found in a species' population under natural conditions, and its associated phenotype is considered the norm or standard.
Variants of this wild type can arise through mutations, genetic drift, or natural selection, resulting in different alleles that may lead to different phenotypes.
For instance, when considering coat color in rabbits, the wild type would be the color most commonly seen in the wild rabbit population. Over time, beneficial mutations may increase in frequency due to natural selection, as these mutations may confer an advantage that helps the individuals survive and reproduce.