The whiptail lizard is an all-female population in which an individual lizard reproduces by cloning itself (by a process called parthenogenesis). Because of this, all surviving whiptail lizards are clones of one another. Which of the following statements is true?
I. The absence of sexual reproduction conserves resources and allows the population to thrive better overall.
II. The absence of sexual reproduction conserves resources but is detrimental to the long-term survival of the species.
III. All members of the population are equally susceptible to parasites and disease.
IV. The population can easily adapt to any environmental change.
I only
II only
IV only
II and III
The correct option is II only.
I. The absence of sexual reproduction conserves resources and allows the population to thrive better overall.
This statement is partially true. The absence of sexual reproduction can indeed conserve resources as there is no need for energy investment in finding mates and producing gametes. However, it does not necessarily mean the population will thrive better overall.
II. The absence of sexual reproduction conserves resources but is detrimental to the long-term survival of the species.
This statement is true. While parthenogenesis can be advantageous in the short term, as it allows for rapid population growth, it hinders genetic diversity and the ability to adapt to changing environments. Without genetic diversity, the population may be more susceptible to diseases, parasites, and environmental changes.
III. All members of the population are equally susceptible to parasites and disease.
This statement is not necessarily true, as susceptibility to parasites and disease can vary among individuals due to other factors such as immune system strength and individual variations in resistance.
IV. The population can easily adapt to any environmental change.
This statement is false. The lack of genetic diversity resulting from cloning limits the population's ability to adapt to environmental changes. Without variation in traits, there may be a lack of individuals with advantageous traits that can help the population survive in new environmental conditions.