Which of the following is not true for a critically endangered species...
Concept:
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An organism that faces extinction is referred to as an endangered species.
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The two main factors that cause a species to become endangered are habitat loss and genetic diversity loss.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps a “Red List of Threatened Species.”
The Red List defines the severity and specific causes of a species’ threat of extinction.
The Red List has seven levels of conservation: least concern, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, extinct in the wild, and extinct.
Each category represents a different threat level.
Species that are not threatened by extinction are placed within the first two categories—least concern and near-threatened.
Those that are most threatened are placed within the next three categories, known as the threatened categories—vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered.
Those species that are extinct in some form are placed within the last two categories—extinct in the wild and extinct.
Critically Endangered Species
1) Population reduction rate
A critically endangered species’ population has declined between 80 and 90 percent.
This decline is measured over 10 years or three generations of the species, whichever is longer.
A species is classified as critically endangered when its population has declined at least 90 percent and the cause of the decline is known.
A species is also classified as endangered when its population has declined at least 80 percent and the cause of the decline is not known.
A critically endangered species’ extent of occurrence is less than 100 square kilometers (39 square miles).
A critically endangered species’ area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 10 square kilometers (4 square miles).
A species is classified as critically endangered when there are fewer than 250 mature individuals.
A species is also classified as critically endangered when the number of mature individuals declines by at least 25 percent within three years or one generation, whichever is longer.
4) Population restrictions
A species is classified as critically endangered when its population is restricted to less than 50 mature individuals.
When a species’ population is this low, its area of occupancy is not considered.
5) Probability of extinction in the wild is at least 50 percent within 10 years or three generations, whichever is longer.
6) The individuals of the species that are critically endangered led to low numbers are still a genetically open system.
hence the correct answer is option 2
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Which of the following is not true for a critically endangered species...
Understanding Critically Endangered Species
When evaluating the statements about critically endangered species, it is essential to understand the implications of low population numbers on genetic diversity and breeding systems.
Analysis of Option B
- Genetically Open System:
The claim that individuals of a critically endangered species still represent a genetically open system is misleading.
- In reality, as populations decline, the genetic diversity diminishes, leading to increased inbreeding.
- Isolation often occurs, resulting in a closed genetic system where limited mating opportunities among closely related individuals reduce genetic variation.
Other Options Explained
- Option A:
- Increased relatedness can lead to a reduction in breeding ability due to incompatibility mechanisms or behavioral issues. This is true for both plants and animals.
- Option C:
- Loss of alleles results in decreased genetic diversity. This limits a species' ability to adapt to environmental changes, making them more vulnerable to extinction.
- Option D:
- The expression of deleterious alleles and increased homozygosity can indeed lead to higher mortality rates in young individuals. Inbreeding depression further reduces offspring fitness, which is detrimental for critically endangered species.
Conclusion
In conclusion, option B is not true for critically endangered species because these populations typically become genetically isolated, leading to a closed genetic system rather than an open one. This lack of genetic diversity poses severe risks to their survival and adaptability.