Final answer:
The claim that subpopulations within a metapopulation are completely isolated with no movement between them is false. Metapopulations have subpopulations that are connected through occasional movements of individuals, which is crucial for gene exchange and population persistence despite occasional local extinctions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement (T/F) Subpopulations within a metapopulation are isolated from one another with no movement of individuals between subpopulations is false. A metapopulation consists of subpopulations that are separated by space, but they are connected through occasional movements of individuals among them.
This could include dispersal movements, immigration, and emigration which may supplement population numbers, increase the exchange of genes, or assist recolonization after a local population extinction. The degree of isolation and movement between subpopulations can vary significantly, but it is the exchange among subpopulations that is one of the defining features of a metapopulation.
Examples of this include a mainland-island model, where a large mainland population serves as a source of individuals that disperse to smaller, nearby populations, enhancing their genetic diversity and resilience.
In contrast, some metapopulations are structured such that all subpopulations are similar in size, and while local extinctions may occur, the metapopulation persists because of ongoing colonization events. Isolated populations may lead to allopatric speciation, where two populations evolve independently due to a lack of gene flow.