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Question #46635
The Question
A population of an endemic mammal has been reduced to near its Minimum Viable Population due to habitat fragmentation and overexploitation (drivers of the 'Evil Quartet'). A researcher attempts to estimate its exact population density using the traditional Mark-Recapture (trapping and tagging) method. Why is this approach ecologically detrimental and scientifically invalid for this specific population?
Options
- A.
The stress of trapping induces handling mortality, violating the 'closed population' assumption and exacerbating the extinction risk.
- B.
The method relies on indirect indices like fecal pellets, which yield statistically insignificant data in populations near critical thresholds.
- C.
Marked individuals are more easily targeted by invasive alien predators, leading to an underestimation of the total population size.
- D.
The 'Evil Quartet' drivers cause rapid genetic drift, which prevents the random mixing of marked and unmarked individuals.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Ectoparasite|Allen's Rule|Thermal Tolerance
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Understanding the ecological assumptions of sampling methods.
Students often memorize the Mark-Recapture concept but fail to realize it strictly assumes a 'closed population' with zero mortality.
The trap in Option C tests quantitative nuance: understanding the inverse mathematical relationship between recapture rate and estimated population size, a common high-level NEET application.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Organisms and Populations - Class 12 |
| Concept | Evolutionary Ecology of Parasitism |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |