Question

You are tasked with protecting a keystone rodent species. Many populations of this rodent are suffering severe juvenile mortality due to an infectious disease and there is no evidence of genetic variation in disease effects. The disease is treatable, but it is time consuming and expensive to implement so can't be implemented widely. In comparison, adult rodents are unharmed by the disease and populations are therefore still large and healthy. But if nothing is done there will be few young rodents to replace older ones when they die from other causes and major declines in abundance are then likely. Given this information, which of the options below is likely to be least effective for protecting your rodent species?

		A. Move individuals among wild rodent populations to promote genetic diversity
		B. Develop a captive breeding program where rodents can be treated and reintroduced to the wild
		C. Focus treatment efforts on rodent populations where juveniles are common
		D. Protect habitats where large and healthy populations are known to inhabit

Answer 1

Answer: C - Focus treatment efforts on rodent populations where juveniles are common

Explanation: Tasked with protecting a keystone rodent species - Adult rodents are unharmed by the disease and populations are therefore still large and healthy in comparison to juvenile presently and many populations of this rodent are suffering severe juvenile mortality due to an infectious disease and there is no evidence of genetic variation in disease effects. So, under the present circumstances, the most effective way is to promote genetic diversity, captive breeding program & protect habitats so that there is effective growth of population rather than focus treatment efforts on rodent populations where juveniles are common.