Consider the information provided on the three species shown in the table below - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 7 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 7
Consider the information provided on the three species shown in the table below.
Species
| rock hyrax | elephant | dugong |
|------------|----------|--------|
| Si... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Consider the information provided on the three species shown in the table below - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 7 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify the type of evolution involved. Justify your response.
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Answer
The type of evolution involved is divergent evolution. This occurs when two or more species that share a common ancestor evolve different traits due to varying environmental pressures. In this case, the rock hyrax, elephant, and dugong have adapted to their specific habitats and lifestyles, leading to distinct differences in size and morphological features despite their shared ancestry.
Step 2
Give one possible cause of its extinction.
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Answer
One possible cause of the steppe bison's extinction could be the ice age or cold environment. The harsh climate conditions could have led to food scarcity and habitat loss, significantly impacting the survival of the species.