You are a scientist observing rodents on the Galapagos Islands. You notice that the introduction of new bird of prey has limited the number of rodents. What term best describes the factor that is limiting the number of rodents the environment can support?

Question

1. variation
2. food supply
3. selective pressure
4. fitness

Answer 1

The term that best describes the factor limiting the number of rodents in the environment due to the introduction of a new bird of prey is 3. selective pressure.

Selective pressure refers to any external factor that affects an organism's ability to survive and reproduce, which in this case is the predation by the new bird of prey affecting the rodent population.