Question

why was the reduction of the bison population to under 1,000 individuals a bottleneck event for the species?
a. it drastically reduced the gene pool of the species.
b. it reduced the territorial range available to the species.
c. foreign genes were introduced by crossbreeding with cattle.
d. it reduced the prevalence of recessive traits.

please select the best answer from the choices provided

a
b
c
d

Explanation:

A population bottleneck is an evolutionary event in which a significant percentage of a population or species is killed or otherwise prevented from reproducing. This event drastically reduces the genetic diversity (the gene pool) of the surviving population, as fewer individuals remain to pass on their genes to future generations.

Answer:

A. It drastically reduced the gene pool of the species.