A small group of islands provides habitat for seabirds of a single species.The islands are close together, and although most seabirds usually nest on the same island, some fly from island to island and remain to mate with members of the local population.Would the seabirds on these islands be considered a metapopulation?
A) No, because they live on separate islands.
B) No, because they comprise a species, not a population.
C) Yes, because most birds nest on the same island every year.
D) Yes, because populations interact with those on other islands.
E) Only DNA testing could determine this for certain.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A metapopulation is a group of populations that interact and exchange individuals, which is happening in this case where some seabirds fly from island to island and mate with members of the local population. Therefore, option D is correct. Option A is incorrect because the islands being separate or not is not relevant to defining a metapopulation. Option B is incorrect because a species can comprise one or multiple populations. Option C is incorrect because most birds nesting on the same island does not necessarily make them a metapopulation. Option E is incorrect because DNA testing is not required to determine if a group of populations is a metapopulation.

A Small Group of Islands Provides Habitat for Seabirds of a Single