A new sea star species has been identified in Australia. This species is a hermaphrodite that self-fertilizes and keeps its young inside its body. Other species of sea stars in this genus have both male and female sea stars. They release eggs and sperm into the water where the egg is fertilized. How does the new sea star species influence our understanding of biology?

Question

A new sea star species has been identified in Australia. This species is a hermaphrodite that self-fertilizes and keeps its young inside its body. Other species of sea stars in this genus have both male and female sea stars. They release eggs and sperm into the water where the egg is fertilized. How does the new sea star species influence our understanding of biology?

How Do Starfish Reproduce Sexually and Asexually? - Starfish Reproduction

a
It shows that populations of organisms in a community stay the same.
b
It shows that populations of organisms have individuals that form with new traits.
c
It shows that populations of organisms interact with the nonliving environment.
d
It shows that populations of organisms can separate into new species.
e
It shows that populations of organisms have a certain carrying capacity.
f
It shows that populations of organisms share the same habitat.

Answer 1

The new sea star species influences our understanding of biology by showing that populations of organisms can separate into new species (option d). This sea star species has unique reproductive characteristics that differ from other species in its genus, indicating that it has evolved separately to fill a specific niche in its environment. This discovery adds to our knowledge of the diversity of reproductive strategies in nature and the potential for speciation to occur within a population.