Question

Which of the following is NOT a reason why Hawaiian species are vulnerable to extinction?

They are adapted to living in volcanic soil.

They have evolved in the absence of many foreign pathogens (diseases, parasites brought by introduced species).

They have evolved in the absence of many major competitors.

They have evolved in the absence of many major predators/herbivores.

Answer 1

Answer: Option D is correct.
Explanation:
The archipelago of Hawaii the Pacific Ocean is a hotspot for biodiversity. Most of the species living in Hawaiian islands are facing the threat of extinction now. It is often labeled as the "extinction capital of the world'. These islands are isolated from the mainland for a very long time and many species are endemic. They have evolved in a special environment which is quite different from that of the mainland.

Most of these species now face the threat of extinction due to invasive species and habitat destruction. Since these organisms evolved in the absence of major predators/herbivores, the introduction of foreign species has resulted in the extinction of the endemic species at an alarming rate.