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Suppose fish caught at one location in a bay are tagged with simple, numbered, plastic tags. What kind of information can a scientist gain if she catches one of these fish in another bay, distant from the first?

1) The migration pattern of the fish
2) The size of the fish
3) The color of the fish
4) The age of the fish

User Mungflesh
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Final answer:

The scientist can gain information about the fish's migration patterns from the tagged fish caught in another bay. The mark and recapture method helps study population size and distribution but has limitations.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a scientist catches a fish tagged in one bay at a different, distant bay, the most relevant information she can gain is about the migration pattern of the fish. This aspect of the study would allow her to understand how far and wide the fish travel over a period. Tagging does not convey information directly about the size, color, or age of the fish as tags contain only identification or tracking info, not physical characteristics.

Using the mark and recapture method, scientists can estimate the population size by capturing, marking, and releasing a number of individuals to later recapture them along with unmarked fish. This method, despite having limitations such as behavioral changes due to tagging or the impact of the marking on the survival of the animals, can also provide insights into species distribution patterns. Moreover, the interaction of marked fish recaptured in different places could potentially indicate social or breeding behaviors.

User Sam Stelfox
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