You want to study divergence of populations, and you need to maximise the rate of divergence to see results within the period of your grant funding. You will form a new population by taking some individuals from a source population and isolating them so the two populations cannot interbreed. What combination of characteristics would maximise your chance of seeing divergence in this study?
1) Choose a random sample of individuals to form the new population.
2) Choose individuals from one extreme to form the new population.
3) Choose a species to study that produces many offspring.
4) Choose a species to study that produces a few, large offspring.
5) Place the new population in the same type of environment as the source population.
6) Place the new population in a novel environment compared to that of the source population.
A) 1, 3, and 6
B) 1, 4, and 6
C) 2, 3, and 5
D) 2, 3, and 6

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Choosing individuals from one extreme (2) increases genetic differences, a species that produces many offspring (3) increases the chance of beneficial mutations, and placing the new population in a novel environment (6) applies different selective pressures, all of which can accelerate divergence.

You Want to Study Divergence of Populations, and You Need