Mountain sheep in Southern California are separated into small populations on different mountains within one range.Fenced highways bound two sides of these population areas.Of the small populations in this area, which would be considered part of a metapopulation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A metapopulation is composed of multiple subpopulations that are connected by the movement of individuals between them. In this scenario, populations that are able to move into the habitats of adjoining populations would be considered part of a metapopulation because they are connected by the potential for genetic exchange through dispersal. The populations inside the fenced highways may have limited connectivity and may be more isolated, so they may not be considered part of a metapopulation. The dispersion pattern (random or uniform) does not necessarily indicate whether a population is part of a metapopulation.

Mountain Sheep in Southern California Are Separated into Small Populations