To analyze the impact of reducing low-growing plants on a population of tortoises with varying neck extension abilities, we need to consider the feeding habits and ecological dynamics involved.
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The proportion of tortoises that could only extend their necks a short distance would increase. - This statement is unlikely to be true. If low-growing plants are reduced, short-necked tortoises would have less access to food sources and may struggle to survive, leading to a decrease in their proportion over time.
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The variety of tortoises that could only extend their necks a short distance would go extinct. - While it's possible that the short-necked tortoises may face survival challenges and decrease significantly in number, whether they go completely extinct would depend on other factors such as their overall reproductive success and environmental conditions. This assertion could be an extreme outcome, but it's plausible.
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The variety of tortoises with the ability to extend their necks a long distance would go extinct. - This is also unlikely to be true. Long-necked tortoises would likely have better access to food sources that are higher up, particularly in an environment with reduced low-growing plants. Their ability to reach food would potentially give them a survival advantage.
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The proportion of tortoises with the ability to extend their necks a long distance would increase. - This statement is the most probable outcome. With the loss of low-growing plants, the long-necked tortoises would have a clear advantage as they can reach food sources that are not accessible to short-necked tortoises. Consequently, the proportion of long-necked tortoises would likely increase over time due to better survival and reproductive opportunities.
In summary, the most logical conclusion based on the given scenario would be statement 4: The proportion of tortoises with the ability to extend their necks a long distance would increase.