Question

Tasmanian devils, a marsupial carnivore, have experienced a severe decline in their numbers due to the spread of a cancer known as Devil facial tumor disease, a condition that results in tumors on their faces that can interfere with their ability to eat or see. Females generally produce their first litter toward the end of their second year. Scientists have recently observed a dramatic increase in the sexual maturity of females at an earlier age, often in their first year. How might genetic drift account for this change?

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Females reaching sexual maturity at an early age are more likely to reproduce before being infected with DFTD. Just took the test.

Answer 2

Answer: Faster Evolution .

Explanation: Genetic drift could explain this change as follows: This change is due to a faster evolution, accompanied by several factors that lead to it becoming a hereditary trait. Sexual maturity in females is therefore due to the tumor that affects most of these animals. They of normal age begin their young between two and four years of age, but before the expansion of this tumor in their face they are in need of advancing their sexual maturity. That is the main reason for that drastic increase.