All but one species of large birds native to New Zealand’s tropical forests are now extinct. Numbers of the one surviving species, the kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), are declining rapidly due to habitat loss,poaching, predation, and interspecies competition that wiped out the other native birds. The keruru is the only remaining dispersal agent for several native trees that produce big seeds and fruits, mainly because itis the only remaining species that can swallow big fruits (left) and expel big seeds whole. One of these trees, the puriri (Vitex lucens), is New Zealand’s most valued hardwood. Explain, in terms of natural selection, what would happen to puriri trees in New Zealand if the kereru becomes extinct.

All but one species of large birds native to New Zealand’s tropical forests are now extinct. Numbers of the one surviving species, the kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), are declining rapidly due to habitat loss,poaching, predation, and interspecies competition that wiped out the other native birds. The keruru is the only remaining dispersal agent for several native trees that produce big seeds and fruits, mainly because itis the only remaining species that can swallow big fruits (left) and expel big seeds whole. One of these trees, the puriri (Vitex lucens), is New Zealand’s most valued hardwood. Explain, in terms of natural selection, what would happen to puriri trees in New Zealand if the kereru becomes extinct.

Concepts of Biology

1st Edition

ISBN:9781938168116

Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise

Publisher:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise

Chapter11: Evolution And Its Processes

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 11RQ: What is the main difference between dispersal and vicariance? a. One leads to allopatric speciation,...

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