An earthquake decimates a ground-squirrel population, killing 98% of the squirrels. The surviving population happens to have broader stripes, on average, than the initial population.
If broadness of stripes is genetically determined, what effect has the ground-squirrel population experienced during the earthquake?
A) directional selection
B) disruptive selection
C) a founder event
D) a genetic bottleneck

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The earthquake led to a significant reduction in the population size of ground squirrels, resulting in a genetic bottleneck. The surviving population had a different genetic makeup, causing a shift in stripe broadness. This is an example of genetic drift.

An Earthquake Decimates a Ground-Squirrel Population, Killing 98% of the Squirrels