Look at the diagram of rock layers. What most likely happened to the sea stars on the island when the volcano suddenly erupted and destroyed most of the existing population? A The surviving sea star population decreased without any changes in form over time. The surviving sea star population multiplied rapidly and was joined by a new form of sea star. C The surviving sea star population very slowly and gradually separated into a new form of sea star. D The surviving sea star population evolved relatively rapidly into a new form of sea star.

To determine what most likely happened to the sea stars on the island when the volcano suddenly erupted and destroyed most of the existing population, we need to consider the principles of natural selection and evolutionary biology.<br /><br /> options:<br /><br />A. The surviving sea star population decreased without any changes in form over time.<br />B. The surviving sea star population multiplied rapidly and was joined by a new form of sea star.<br />C. The surviving sea star population very slowly and gradually separated into a new form of sea star.<br />D. The surviving sea star population evolved relatively rapidly into a new form of sea star.<br /><br />The most plausible scenario is:<br /><br />D. The surviving sea star population evolved relatively rapidly into a new form of sea star.<br /><br />This is because sudden environmental changes, such as a volcanic eruption, can create strong selective pressures on the remaining population. The surviving sea stars would face new challenges and opportunities, leading to rapid adaptation and potentially the emergence of new traits or even new species. This process is known as adaptive radiation, where a single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into multiple new forms to fill different ecological niches.