A population of rabbits is living in a forest when a mudslide occurs. Some of the rabbits are trapped on one side of the mudslide, and the rest of the rabbits are trapped on the other. These two populations remain separated for hundreds of years. Which of the following is most likely true of the current populations?
A. One population has become sterile and will soon go extinct.
B. One population has evolved to be able to jump very high and climb trees.
C. The two populations cannot produce fertile offspring with each other.
D. The two populations have identical diets and mating behaviors.
C. The two populations cannot produce fertile offspring with each other.
explain why?
The separation of the rabbit populations for hundreds of years suggests that they have undergone genetic isolation and potential genetic divergence. Over time, genetic differences can accumulate between populations, leading to reproductive barriers that prevent or hinder successful interbreeding. This can result in the populations being unable to produce fertile offspring with each other, leading to reproductive isolation and the formation of separate species. Therefore, option C, stating that the two populations cannot produce fertile offspring with each other, is the most likely scenario.
To determine which of the options is most likely true of the current populations, we need to consider the process of speciation, which occurs when two populations become reproductively isolated from each other and evolve different traits over time.
If the two populations have been separated for hundreds of years, it is likely that they have diverged and adapted to their respective environments.
Option A suggests that one population has become sterile and will go extinct. However, sterility in one population is not a typical outcome of speciation. It is unlikely for a population to become completely sterile and go extinct due to reproductive isolation.
Option B suggests that one population has evolved to be able to jump very high and climb trees. Although it is possible for populations to evolve different physical traits over time, there is no inherent reason why one population would evolve the ability to jump high and climb trees while the other would not. It is more likely that the populations would develop different adaptations based on the specific challenges and opportunities in their respective environments.
Option C suggests that the two populations cannot produce fertile offspring with each other. This is a key characteristic of reproductive isolation, which is necessary for speciation to occur. Over time, as genetic differences accumulate in the separate populations, they may no longer be able to produce offspring that are capable of reproducing themselves. Therefore, option C is the most likely answer.
Option D suggests that the two populations have identical diets and mating behaviors. However, it is more likely that the populations would diverge in their diets and mating behaviors as they adapt to their different environments. Therefore, option D is less likely to be true compared to option C.
In conclusion, the most likely true statement about the current populations of rabbits is that the two populations cannot produce fertile offspring with each other (option C).