Scientists discover two hypothetical species of freshwater fish living in small pools that are connected by streams during the rainy season but isolated from each other during the dry season.
Species A reproduces asexually. Species B reproduces sexually. Both species are susceptible to a parasitic worm that causes a condition called "Black Spot Disease."
Scientists identified a pool in which both species of fish lived but in which no parasite existed. After taking an initial survey of both populations, scientists then intentionally infected the pool with the parasite that causes Black Spot Disease.
Three years later they returned and resampled the populations of the two species of fish in the pool. Their results are represented in the graph above.
Which of the following statements are best supported by the results of this experiment?
Scientists discover two hypothetical species of freshwater fish living in small pools that are connected by streams during the rainy season but isolated from each other during the dry season.
Species A reproduces asexually. Species B reproduces sexually. Both species are susceptible to a parasitic worm that causes a condition called "Black Spot Disease."
Scientists identified a pool in which both species of fish lived but in which no parasite existed. After taking an initial survey of both populations, scientists then intentionally infected the pool with the parasite that causes Black Spot Disease.
Three years later they returned and resampled the populations of the two species of fish in the pool. Their results are represented in the graph above.
Which of the following statements are best supported by the results of this experiment?
The correct option is D Species A is more susceptible to the effects of the parasite due to its lack of genetic diversity.
In absence of parasite, species A showed higher reproduction rate than species B. However, when the pool was infected by the parasite, population of species A reduced tremendously whereas species B sustained its reproduction rate. This shows that species A is more susceptible to the parasite due to lack of genetic diversity which resulted in reduction in its number. However, species B showed more resistance to the parasite due to presence of genetic diversity within it.Thus, the correct answer is 'Species A is more susceptible to the effects of the parasite due to its lack of genetic diversity.'
In absence of parasite, species A showed higher reproduction rate than species B. However, when the pool was infected by the parasite, population of species A reduced tremendously whereas species B sustained its reproduction rate. This shows that species A is more susceptible to the parasite due to lack of genetic diversity which resulted in reduction in its number. However, species B showed more resistance to the parasite due to presence of genetic diversity within it.
