Question

• Which of the following would best test the hypothesis that two populations of very similar squirrels, isolated from contact with each other, are different species? You should identify the correct answer and clarify why the other statements are incorrect by adding a brief explanation for each statement.

  • Examine many individuals to determine whether there are any morphological differences between the two populations.

  • Examine the environments in the two locations to determine whether the same selection pressures would be operating.

  • Capture live individuals from both populations and determine whether they can crossbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring.

  • Look for hybrids between the two populations in the wild.

Answer 1

incorrect statement :

examine many individual to determine whether there are any morphological differences between the two populations: we should considered or examine genetic character too as we can't rely only on morphological character.

Examine the environments in the two locations to determine whether the same selection pressures would be operating: if the we obtained the same result it means it is due to genetic variation and not environmental.

look for hybrids between the two population in the wild : population of different species cannot breed to produce a hybrid.

correct statement :

capture live individuals from both populations and determine whether they can crossbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring : if they produce fertile and viable offspring that means they belong to same species and if they don not breed it means they belong to different species ( due to reproductive isolation ).