Photo AI
Red-bellied Black Snakes are a natural predator of frogs in Australia - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 13 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 13
Red-bellied Black Snakes are a natural predator of frogs in Australia. With the introduction of Cane Toads into northern Australia, those snakes with jaws large enou... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Red-bellied Black Snakes are a natural predator of frogs in Australia - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 13 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Divergent evolution has occurred in the snake populations.
Answer
Divergent evolution is characterized by different species developing from a common ancestor due to different environmental pressures. In this case, the differences in jaw size among Red-bellied Black Snakes due to survival pressures from Cane Toads suggest that divergent evolution has taken place.
Step 2
Convergent evolution has occurred in the snake populations.
Answer
Convergent evolution occurs when different species develop similar traits due to similar environments or ecological niches. This does not apply here, as the Red-bellied Black Snakes are adapting rather than converging with another species.
Step 3
Step 4
Evolution has occurred because snakes have developed resistance to the toxin.
Answer
The surviving snakes show adaptations (i.e., smaller jaws) to cope with the poisonous Cane Toads, but the statement about developing resistance to the toxin is misleading, as the document does not specify this.