A biologist studied a population of squirrels for 15 years. During that time, the population was never fewer than 30 squirrels and never more than 45. Her data showed that over half of the squirrels born did not survive to reproduce, because of competition for food and predation. In a single generation, 90% of the squirrels that were born lived to reproduce, and the population increased to 80. Which inference(s) about this population might be true?
Question options:

a. The amount of available food may have increased.

b. The number of predators may have decreased.

c. The squirrels of subsequent generations should show greater levels of genetic variation than previous generations, because squirrels that would not have survived in the past will now survive.

d. A and B only

e. A, B, and C

e.

Explanation:

The correct option is e.

The population of an organism is usually limited by a number of factors such as competition for food, predation, etc. Hence, an increase in the amount of available food may lead to an increase in the population of an organism. In the same vein, a decrease in the number of predator in the environment will ensure that more members of the population survive.

The population of an organism is directly proportional to the genetic variability of that population. That is, the bigger the population, the higher the genetic variability of the population and vice versa. Hence, the squirrel of he subsequent generation should show greater levels of genetic variation than the squirrels of the previous generation.

All the three options A, B, and C are correct.

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