Question

Scientists have found as many as 500 species of fish in the African Lake Victoria. What can account for this high level of diversity in a single habitat?

Lake Victoria has a variety of environments such as rocky shores and muddy bottoms; this environment heterogeneity promotes speciation.
Lake Victoria is a very ancient lake; therefore, there has been more time for a variety of species to evolve.
A typical value of diversity for a lake the size of Lake Victoria is 500 fish species.
Lake Victoria is located near the equator; therefore, it has great biodiversity, like the rainforests in South America.

Answer 1

The correct option is this: LAKE VICTORIA HAS A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROCKY SHORES AND MUDDY BOTTOMS; THIS ENVIRONMENT HETEROGENEITY PROMOTES SPECIATION.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants and animal life in a particular habitat. Biodiversity level can be high or low depending on the number of diverse plants and animals that are found in the habitat. High level of biodiversity is always preferable because of its beneficial effects on the environment.

African Lake Victoria as a water body is made up of different types of environments, therefore, different species of aquatic organisms find it easy to locate favorable niches that are suitable for their existence in the habitat. The high degree of biodiversity will enhance the continuous existence of the lake even during unfavorable conditions.