Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Evolution

Evolution — practice question

The Ethiopian wolf, *Canis simensis*, belongs to the carnivorous Canidae family. Fig. 1.1 depicts an Ethiopian wolf.
(a)[1]

Ethiopian wolves arose from an ancestor resembling the grey wolf that moved into Northern Africa from Europe about $100\,000$ years ago. They inhabit alpine grasslands and heathlands at, or above, $3000\,\text{m}$ altitude in Ethiopia. State the most likely type of speciation responsible for the evolution of the Ethiopian wolf.

(b)[2]

A group of Ethiopian wolves is known as a pack. Low heterozygosity has been recorded in every pack of Ethiopian wolves that has been studied. Suggest why heterozygosity may be low in Ethiopian wolf packs.

(c)[4]

The Ethiopian wolf is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). It issues an annual list of endangered species known as the Red List. Complete Table 1.1 by summarising four of the main reasons, with extra explanation, why the Ethiopian wolf has become endangered.

(d)[2]

The Red List shows that the number of endangered mammal species in $2007$ was $349$ and in $2008$ was $448$. Calculate the percentage increase in endangered mammal species from $2007$ to $2008$. Give your answer to the nearest whole number. Show your working.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 9-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: The most likely type is Allopatric speciation.

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