Assess which of the following variants from a population would have the maximum relative fitness.
I. Variant that matures and becomes fertile early and is short-lived.
II. Variant that matures and becomes fertile early and is long-lived.
II. Variant that is robust, long-lived, and sterile.
IV. Variant that matures and becomes fertile late and is long-lived.
I and IV
III only
II only
I and II
The variant with maximum relative fitness would be the one that is able to produce the most offspring that survive to reproduce themselves.
I. Variant that matures and becomes fertile early and is short-lived: This variant may have a high initial reproductive output due to early maturity, but its short lifespan could limit the number of offspring it can produce.
II. Variant that matures and becomes fertile early and is long-lived: This variant has both early maturity and a long lifespan, which could allow for the production of a large number of offspring over a longer period of time.
III. Variant that is robust, long-lived, and sterile: While this variant may be robust and long-lived, its inability to reproduce means it has zero fitness in terms of passing on its genes to the next generation.
IV. Variant that matures and becomes fertile late and is long-lived: This variant may have a delayed start in reproducing, but its extended lifespan could still allow for the production of a significant number of offspring.
Based on these assessments, the variants with the potential for maximum relative fitness would be I and II.