Before You Begin
Question #46438
The Question
The Tasmanian wolf (a marsupial) and the placental wolf exhibit strikingly similar phenotypes despite their divergent evolutionary lineages. Historically, the introduction of placental predators (like dingoes) into Australia contributed to the extinction of the Tasmanian wolf. Which of the following statements regarding this ecological and evolutionary scenario is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
The phenotypic similarities between the Tasmanian wolf and the placental wolf represent analogous traits resulting from convergent evolution.
- B.
The decline of the native marsupial predator upon the introduction of the placental counterpart exemplifies Gause’s Competitive Exclusion Principle.
- C.
The competitive exclusion of the marsupial wolf is driven by interspecific competition between two species possessing homologous structures adapted for identical niches.
- D.
The placental predator acts as an invasive alien species, utilizing its superior ecological plasticity to displace the native marsupial from its niche.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Australian Marsupials|Placental Mammals|Alien Species Invasion Impacts
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often confuse 'Homologous' and 'Analogous' structures when presented with species that look identical and occupy the exact same niche.
While the ecological premise (interspecific competition leading to competitive exclusion) in Option C is correct, the evolutionary term 'homologous' is the fatal flaw.
The question tests the deep synthesis of Evolution (Convergent Evolution/Analogous organs) and Ecology (Alien Species Invasion/Gause's Principle).
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Evolution - Class 12 |
| Concept | Analogous Organ Structure |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |