Question

some sea turtles produce more females than males if incubation temperatures are high. if the temperature continued to rise, how would this most likely affect the species’ population?
(1 point)

the population would increase because there would be an equal number of males and females.
the population would decrease because females would have fewer males to mate with.
the population would be overcrowded because there would be overproduction of offspring.
the population would stay the same because the species would pass on a mutated trait.

Explanation:

The problem is about sea turtle population dynamics related to temperature - induced sex ratio changes. High incubation temperatures lead to more females. For a species to reproduce, a balanced sex ratio (or at least enough males for females to mate with) is important. If temperature rises further, more females and fewer males will be produced.

• Option 1 is wrong because the situation is more females, not equal males and females.
• Option 3 is wrong as with fewer males, mating opportunities decrease, so there won't be overproduction of offspring.
• Option 4 is wrong as there's no indication of a mutated trait being passed on; it's a temperature - dependent sex - determination issue.
• Option 2 is correct because with fewer males, females will have less chance to mate, leading to fewer offspring and a decreasing population.

Answer:

The population would decrease because females would have fewer males to mate with.