Question

deforestation led to the extinction of a small ground dwelling rodent. which of the following is the most likely explanation for why this extinction occurred? choose 1 answer: a deforestation caused the ground dwelling rodents to rapidly evolve into a different species of tree dwelling rodents. b deforestation led to a loss of shelter for the rodents, and they were no longer able to survive. c deforestation only allowed members of the rodent population that were adapted to the new conditions to survive.

Explanation:

• Option A: Evolution into a different species due to deforestation is not consistent with extinction; extinction means the species died out, not evolved into another.
• Option B: Deforestation removes the natural habitat (shelter, food sources from the forest ecosystem) of ground - dwelling rodents. Without their habitat, they can't find resources to survive, leading to extinction. This is a direct link between habitat loss and species extinction.
• Option C: If only some adapted members survived, it would be natural selection leading to evolution or a population reduction, not extinction (extinction is the complete loss of the species).

Answer:

B. Deforestation led to a loss of shelter for the rodents, and they were no longer able to survive.