Question

Why did the scientists assume the plants and animals they encountered in the cloud forest on top of New Guinea's Foja Mountains had never been encountered by other humans before?

1) These species were unknown to even the native peoples.
2) The animals were unafraid of humans.
3) They found some species that were thought to have been extinct for decades.
4) None of these answers are correct.
5) All of these answers are correct except d.

Answer 1

Scientists believed that the species in the Foja Mountains were undiscovered due to their unfamiliarity to even local peoples, lack of fear in animals suggesting no prior human contact, and encountering species that mirrored those thought to be extinct, indicating a pristine environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scientists assumed plants and animals in New Guinea's Foja Mountains had never been encountered by other humans for several reasons. First, these species were unknown to scientists and even the local indigenous peoples. Second, the animals displayed no fear of humans, indicating they may have not previously interacted with them. Finally, they encountered species that resembled those thought to be extinct, suggesting a lack of prior human contact that might have changed their behavior or led to their earlier recognition.

Moreover, many endemic species are often found in geographically isolated areas. This is because isolation can prevent the flow of genes between populations, leading to the development of unique characteristics in isolated populations over time. Geographical isolation can also protect species from the pressures of predation, competition, and human disturbances that are more prevalent in accessible regions.