Members of an iguana species living on Fiji Island survived a typhoon by floating on palm tree debris to a nearby island. They rode the ocean for approximately a month before the iguanas colonized a new island. These few iguanas were the first of their species to reside on this island.

Question

Members of an iguana species living on Fiji Island survived a typhoon by floating on palm tree debris to a nearby island.  They rode the ocean for approximately a month before the iguanas colonized a new island.  These few iguanas were the first of their species to reside on this island.

Which of the following is the MOST LIKELY outcome for this iguana species in their new island habitat?
Mutations will not occur, and the species will remain unchanged.
Mutations will occur, allowing a new species to evolve and survive in the new environment.
Mutations will not occur, allowing the species to evolve and survive in the new environment.
Mutations will occur, allowing a new species to evolve and eventually become extinct.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The most likely outcome for the iguana species in their new island habitat is:

Mutations will occur, allowing a new species to evolve and survive in the new environment.

This outcome reflects that while mutations are a natural part of genetic variation and can occur randomly, the iguanas will likely adapt over time to their new environment. Given that they are in a different ecological context, these adaptations could lead to evolutionary changes that might ultimately result in the emergence of a new species.