Question

A population of snakes that eat small rodents enters a new habitat. In the new habitat, there are many species of rodents, and their populations are high because there are few natural predators. What will most likely be the effect on the genetic variation of the snake population?
Genetic variation will increase because of a selective pressure.
Genetic variation will increase because of a new habitat and food source.
Genetic variation will decrease because of a selective pressure.
Genetic variation will decrease because of a new habitat and food source.

Answer 1

Genetic variation will increase because of a new habitat and food source.

Explanation: abundant, diverse prey and few predators let the snake population grow (larger effective population size) and relax strong selective pressures, so more alleles persist and new variation is maintained rather than lost.