Use the following description to answer the question.
On the Bahamian island of Andros, mosquitofish populations live in various, now-isolated freshwater ponds that were once united. Currently, some predator-rich ponds have mosquitofish that can swim in short, fast bursts; other predator-poor ponds have mosquitofish that can swim continuously for a long time. When placed together in the same body of water, the two kinds of female mosquitofish exhibit exclusive breeding preferences.
What is the best way to promote fusion between two related populations of mosquitofish, one of which lives in a predator-rich pond and the other of which lives in a predator-poor pond?
A) Build a canal linking the two ponds that permits free movement of mosquitofish, but not of predators.
B) Transfer only female mosquitofish from a predator-rich pond to a predator-poor pond.
C) Perform a reciprocal transfer of females between predator-rich and predator-poor ponds.
D) Remove predators from a predator-rich pond and transfer them to a predator-poor pond.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Building a canal that allows free movement of mosquitofish without predators would enable gene flow between the populations, promoting fusion while maintaining the distinct environmental pressures that led to their initial divergence.

Use the Following Description to Answer the Question