Question

Question

The Canyon Spotted Whiptail and the Sonoran Spotted Whiptail are lizard species that occupy the same habitat. The Canyon Spotted Whiptail population is composed of males and females that reproduce sexually while the Sonoran Spotted Whiptail is an all-female species that reproduces asexually.


Which species is MOST LIKELY to survive an environmental catastrophe and why?


A The Canyon Spotted Whiptail is most likely to survive because male and female members of the species produced bigger offspring.


B The Sonoran Spotted Whiptail is most likely to survive because all members of the species can reproduce.


C The Canyon Spotted Whiptail is most likely to survive because genetic variation improves their chances of adapting.


DThe Sonoran Spotted Whiptail is most likely to survive because genetic similarities help to keep the species stable.

Answer 1

C. The Canyon Spotted Whiptail is most likely to survive because genetic variation improves its chances of adapting.

In case of any catastrophes environmental hazards, the population with greater genetic variations as seen in offspring's produced by sexual reproduction is more likely to survive. As let'say for example their are 100 offspring's produce out of which 99 are heat labile but 1 due to genetic variation is heat stable that will survive sudden increase in temperature.