Question

An earthquake causes a huge canyon to form, permanently dividing a population of wild donkeys. On the windward side of the canyon, dry conditions develop and grasses grow. On the leeward side of the canyon, rainfall is frequent and a forest grows. What is LEAST likely to happen over the course of 100,000 years?

A) Two new species of donkeys will form.
B) Donkeys from the grassy side could develop zebra striping for camouflage.
C) The two populations of donkeys will remain physically identical in both areas.
D) Over a long time, even if introduced to each other, donkeys from the grassy side of the canyon, will not be able to reproduce with donkeys on the forest side.

Answer 1

The answer is C) The two populations of donkeys will remain physically identical in both areas.

Answer 2

The correct answer is option C, that is, the two populations of donkeys will remain physically identical in both the regions.

In the given case, the earthquake results in a huge canyon to develop and resulting in permanent separation of wild donkeys’ population. The population got separated in two distinct places. Due to the formation of the canyon, it will become extremely tough for the donkeys to travel between the windward and leeward sides.

Thus, eventually, the donkeys on both the ends will get reproductively isolated from each other because of the canyon, and would ultimately get diverged into distinct species.