Question

As a result of habitat destruction, the size of the Florida panther population has been drastically reduced. It is estimated that there are only 100 to 160 Florida panthers in the wild. Which statement best explains why the Florida panther population may not continue to evolve?

There is no longer a chance of mutations occurring in the population.



There is a lack of competition for limited environmental resources.



There is no longer a chance of a trait providing a reproductive advantage to the population.



There is a lack of genetic variation for selection to act upon.

Answer 1

Option D , There is a lack of genetic variation for selection to act upon.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Darwin's theory of natural selection , when an organism undergo uncontrolled mating or sexual intercourse with other organism of the same species it gets an opportunity to produce offspring of varied genetic characteristics that are more fit to sustain in a given environment depending on the available gene pool . Now, in this case when panthers are killed ruthlessly, the number of panthers will reduce and so the gene pool will also shrink.

Therefore, the mating panthers will not get the benefit of selection as to produce a fit offspring that could sustain in a given environment and hence they would not evolve further.

Thus, option D is correct

Answer 2

The most appropriate answer would be "There is a lack of genetic variation for selection to act upon.".

Evolution is a gradual and natural process by which the characters of a population changes over several generations with the help of natural selection.

Reduction of population size up to 100 to 160 decreases overall genetic diversity of the population due to which the efficiency of natural selection decreases.

Consequently, the population of panthers may no continue to evolve.