Question

As we have discussed in the course, the gray wolf population on Isle Royale National Park is becoming locally extinct. One of the events that led to population decline was an outbreak of canine distemper virus on the island. Which of the below factors is most likely directly responsible for the high proportion of the population that died from this outbreak?
a. A decline in the moose population that made food difficult to find
b. Habitat fragmentation
c. Small population size
d. Low genetic variability

Answer 1

Answer: d. Low genetic variability

Explanation:

Low genetic variability can be a reason this is because of the fact that this will not support the organisms to fight against the disease causing pathogen. These organisms will not be able to adapt or attain any resistance against disease causing viruses. Hence, the entire population of the gray wolf will die due to this viral outbreak.