Question

In many large mammal populations, highways can be barriers to movement - individuals rarely cross them. One solution to this problem has been to install overhead bridges for wildlife to safely cross. The goal is to increase gene flow between the populations on either side of the highway. Which of the following would you expect to see if the bridge is successful in its goal?

a) The two populations would have different mutation rates
b) We would see fewer heterozygotes in both populations
c) Higher levels of drift would occur after the bridge is installed
d) The two populations would become more genetically similar
e) Both populations would decrease in size

Answer 1

Answer: c. Higher levels of drift would occur after the bridge is installed

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the information given in the question, if the bridge is successful in its goal and overhead bridges are installed for wildlife to safely cross, then there'll be higher levels of drift after the bridge is installed.

Since the highways are barriers to the movement of the wildlife, overheard bridges will bring about movement on the other side of the highway and this will result in and increase in drift between both parts of the highway. This will also help in the increase of gene flow between the populations.

Therefore, the correct option is C.