Question

question 2 of 10
three islands have three different habitats. island x has little ground
vegetation and a lot of trees. island y has a lot of ground vegetation but fewer
trees. island z has a lot of ground vegetation and many trees. the same
species of tortoise lives on all three islands and eats plants. the tortoises
cannot travel between the islands. over time, each population becomes more
suited to the environment on its island.
which factor contributed to the adaptation of each tortoise population?
a. the mutation rates vary among the populations.
b. the populations are separated by geographic barriers.
c. the tortoises on each island already had adaptions that helped
them survive on that island.
d. the populations experience different ranges of seasonal
temperatures.

Explanation:

The tortoises are on different islands (geographic separation). This isolation means each population evolves adaptations suited to its specific island habitat (like ground vegetation vs. trees). Geographic barriers prevent inter - breeding and gene flow, allowing each population to adapt independently.

Answer:

B. The populations are separated by geographic barriers.