Environmentalist: It is true that the tiny population of grey wolves

Question

Environmentalist: It is true that the tiny population of grey wolves in the southern part of the country have much in common with the larger population in the north. Based on these similarities, government officials are claiming that the distinct population in the south is not endangered. The claim is mistaken. The wolf population in the south has no contact, and is incapable of breeding with the population in the north, so it should be considered a distinct species, and thus an endangered one.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest support for the environmentalist's claim?

(A) Historical data suggests that the wolf population in the south descends from a separate population that lived in the north less than a century ago.

(B) The two wolf populations have genetic differences that are more substantial than the differences that cause two populations of red wolves to be categorized as distinct species.

(C) There are currently no wolf species categorized by the government as endangered.

(D) The environmentalist previously worked for the government in a capacity that allowed him to help classify certain species as endangered.

(E) There are large numbers of grey wolves in captivity throughout the country.

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akamukho25 · Answer

My Answer: A
I was very confused between A and B. 
 A : here was a population similar to the south, which resided in the north, less than a century ago. Which means they don't exist anymore and have become extinct. Which raises the concern that the wolves in the south might get extinct too.

B: Felt a little out of scope to me.
Waiting for OA.

Gmat750aspirant · Answer

We need to determine which statement best supports the environmentalist's claim that the wolf population in the south should be considered a distinct species (and thus endangered) because it is isolated and incapable of breeding with the northern population.

(A) Historical data suggests that the wolf population in the south descends from a separate population that lived in the north less than a century ago.
- This indicates recent common ancestry rather than long-term separation, so it weakens the distinct species argument.

(B) The two wolf populations have genetic differences that are more substantial than the differences that cause two populations of red wolves to be categorized as distinct species.
- This directly supports the environmentalist's claim by showing that the genetic differences between the northern and southern grey wolves are significant enough to justify separate species classification. If red wolves with lesser differences are already considered distinct, then the substantial differences here bolster the case for treating the southern wolves as distinct and endangered.

(C) There are currently no wolf species categorized by the government as endangered.
- This statement is about government classification and does not directly address whether the southern population is genetically or reproductively isolated from the northern population.

(D) The environmentalist previously worked for the government in a capacity that allowed him to help classify certain species as endangered.
- The environmentalist’s credentials are not relevant to the scientific claim regarding the genetic distinctiveness and breeding isolation of the two populations.

(E) There are large numbers of grey wolves in captivity throughout the country.
- The existence of captive wolves does not relate to the breeding isolation or genetic differences between the wild populations.

Conclusion
Answer: B (The genetic differences supporting distinct species classification provides the strongest support for the environmentalist's claim).

ManifestMBAbay25 · Answer

Correct answer is B

Premise or Background Information - GW in southern part is similar to GW of northern part.
Counter premise - Govt claims that population of GW in south is not endangered.
Conclusion - claim is mistaken as wolf population of north and south have no contact and are incapable of breeding hence they are distinct and are endangered.

(A) Historical data suggests that the wolf population in the south descends from a separate population that lived in the north less than a century ago. - does explain ancestry but nothing more. there could be two kinds of wolves species in the north one is still present and one got extinct. doesnt say anything about the inter breeding between both the species.  Incorrect

(B) The two wolf populations have genetic differences that are more substantial than the differences that cause two populations of red wolves to be categorized as distinct species. - this does explain the genetic difference and their extent by making a comparison to red wolves distinct species.  Correct

(C) There are currently no wolf species categorized by the government as endangered. - not adding anything. that is what the environmentalist is trying to get done by the govt  Incorrect

(D) The environmentalist previously worked for the government in a capacity that allowed him to help classify certain species as endangered. - sure this proves the environmentalist credentials but it still doesn't add anything with respect to the grey wolves and two populations.  Incorrect

(E) There are large numbers of grey wolves in captivity throughout the country. - this is a weakener as these wolves in captivity can be used for breeding.  Incorrect

NextstopISB · Answer

Correct Answer: (B)

(B) supports the claim by showing that the genetic differences between the two wolf populations are greater than those used to classify other wolves as distinct species. This strengthens the argument that the southern wolves should be considered a separate species and thus endangered.

Why other options are wrong:
(A) Mentions historical connection, which weakens the argument that they are distinct. 
(C) Talks about government policy, not biological classification. 
(D) Focuses on the environmentalist’s background, irrelevant to the argument. 
(E) Captive wolves do not affect the classification of wild populations.

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

B

The dispute is over just how much the two populations of wolves have in common. We're looking to strengthen the argument that, because there is no contact and no interbreeding between the two species, the southern population is a distinct species.

Choice (A) could be construed as supporting the argument, but it would be a stretch. This bit of evidence does relate the southern population to the north, and there's also no way of knowing how much data from less than a century ago affects the definition of species. (B) is better. It not only tells us a difference between the two populations, but explains that a less substantial difference has caused two populations to be defined as different species.

Choice (C) is irrelevant, as we're only concerned with this one species, and even though "endangered" is mentioned in the passage, the argument is about whether the southern population is a separate species, not about the definition of endangered species. (D) is off-topic, as it doesn't matter where the person arguing worked, or what he or she did. (E) is o§-topic as well; this tells us nothing about the distinction between populations.  Choice (B) is correct.

Environmentalist: It is true that the tiny population of grey wolves

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Environmentalist: It is true that the tiny population of grey wolves

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