Imagine a small herbaceous flowering plant whose conservation status is "endangered." Which of the following possible experiments would best test if a lack of genetic variability was partially responsible for low population numbers?
A) compare flower production rates in plants from populations that occur in dry versus moist conditions
B) compare flower production rates in small versus large plants
C) compare seed production rates in plants that are hand-pollinated with pollen from nearby individuals versus individuals 10 kilometers away
D) compare seed production rates in small versus large plants

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Comparing seed production rates in plants that are hand-pollinated with pollen from nearby individuals versus individuals 10 kilometers away directly tests the effect of genetic variability on reproductive success. If plants pollinated with distant (potentially more genetically diverse) pollen produce more seeds, it suggests that genetic variability (or lack thereof) affects population numbers.

Imagine a Small Herbaceous Flowering Plant Whose Conservation Status Is