Australian Pygmy Bluetongue Lizards Were Not Seen for 33 Years

question 93

Multiple Choice

Australian pygmy bluetongue lizards were not seen for 33 years.They were thought to be extinct until one was discovered inside a snake in 1992.Prior to that time, only 19 individuals were known from anywhere in the world.The species inhabits a restricted geographic area and uses the burrows of spiders for refuge, the only lizard known to do so.Biologists did not observe bluetongue lizards because they did not look inside spider burrows.It has likely been difficult to determine the status of this lizard for all of the following reasons except that

• A) it is small and extremely rare.
• B) its life history and habitat were poorly known.
• C) its interactions with other species were poorly known.
• D) it is extremely reclusive.
• E) it was not known or described before 1992.

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Definitions:

Autosomal Dominant

A pattern of inheritance in which an affected individual has one copy of a mutant gene and one normal gene on a pair of autosomal chromosomes.

Type 1 Diabetes

An autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

Susceptibility

The likelihood or predisposition to be affected by a particular condition, disease, or harm.

Genetic Risk

The likelihood of developing a disease or condition based on inherited genetic factors.