The Entire Species of North American Right Whales Currently Consists

Multiple Choice

The entire species of North American right whales currently consists of less than 400 individuals. Through genetic testing, it has been determined that at some point in the past, probably around the time they were first protected in the beginning of the twentieth century, the population had only three reproducing females. All individuals that exist today are thought to be descendants of those females. As a result, why is this species vulnerable?

A) deleterious genes
B) low genetic variability
C) habitat loss
D) increased hunting pressure