Question

Blackcap birds (Sylvia atricapilla) migrate out of Germany before wintertime. Prior to the 1960s, all members of a particular blackcap population flew to Spain, which had an abundant natural food source. Now, some members of the same blackcap population fly to the United Kingdom, where food placed in feeders by humans is abundant. The blackcaps return to the same forests in Germany to nest during the breeding season.

Some blackcaps that migrate to the United Kingdom have become distinguishable by certain physical and behavioral traits from blackcaps that migrate to Spain. Which of the following best predicts the effect on the blackcap population if humans in the United Kingdom continue to place food in feeders during the winter?

A- The blackcaps that migrate to Spain will selectively mate with the blackcaps that migrate to the United Kingdom, resulting in increased genetic variation in the blackcap population.

B- The blackcaps that migrate to the United Kingdom will become reproductively isolated from the blackcaps that migrate to Spain, resulting in speciation in the blackcap population.

C- The blackcaps in Spain and the United Kingdom will migrate to other geographical locations in search of potential mating partners, resulting in a smaller blackcap population in Germany.

D- The blackcaps will begin nesting at their wintering sites in Spain or the United Kingdom, resulting in a larger blackcap population migrating back to Germany after the breeding season has ended.

Answer 1

D- The blackcaps will begin nesting at their wintering sites in Spain or the United Kingdom, resulting in a larger blackcap population migrating back to Germany after the breeding season has ended.

Step-by-step explanation:

By the inhabitants of Spain and the United Kingdom placing feeders out for the blackcaps, the birds in their nesting sites during the winter will have food to eat, meaning a bigger population of the Blackcaps when they return to their main home in Germany.

This best predicts the effect on the blackcap population if humans in the United Kingdom continue to place food in feeders during the winter.