SSCE VCE Biology Genetic Diversity and Adaptations: Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus ha

Question

Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) were originally broadly distributed across Australia. When sea levels rose 12,000 years ago, an island, now referred to as Tasmania, was formed. The small number of Tasmanian devils on Tasmania was cut off from the Australian mainland populations. The population in Tasmania showed less genetic variation than the mainland populations. Mainland populations became extinct approximately 3000 years ago.

Over the last 20 years, the total Tasmanian devil population on Tasmania has halved. Many of the deaths have been the result of Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). Scientists have taken some Tasmanian devils that are not affected by DFTD to mainland Australia to set up a conservation program. The scientists have shown that greater genetic diversity among offspring in this program is observed when the Tasmanian devils are kept in isolated male–female pairs rather than in larger groups.

The conservation program for Tasmanian devils is an example of:

a. population bottleneck.

b. allopatric speciation.

c. selective breeding.

d. natural selection.

Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) were originally broadly distributed across Australia - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 27 - 2020 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) were originally broadly distributed across Australia - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 27 - 2020 - Paper 1

The conservation program for Tasmanian devils is an example of:

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