Scientists theorize that australia was once part of a larger mainland area but due to plate tectonics, broke away. according to island theory, scientists can explain all but one of these occurrences as a result of australia becoming and staying an island for a very long time. that is
a) extremes in size, large or small.
b) the evolution of flightless birds.
c) the presence of relics, like the marsupials.
d) a large assortment of plant dispersal mechanisms.

Over the past 60 years, many amphibian species have experienced significant population declines and some species have become extinct. scientists suspected that local human activities such as the destruction of wetlands, regional pollution, and deforestation were the main reasons for these losses. however, research over the past 20 years reveals significant amphibian population declines in protected areas of the world, such as nature preserves and parks. these global declines suggest widespread problems including increased ultraviolet radiation, acid rain, and disease. in switzerland, for example, 14 of the 20 native amphibian species are threatened with extinction. chytridiomycosis is a fungal disease first identified in 1998 as a cause of massive amphibian deaths. in some severely impacted populations, a few individuals have survived, perhaps because of some natural resistance. if these resistant individuals continue to survive and prosper, new resistant populations might emerge. this would be an example of the founder effect artificial selection genetic drift natural selection sexual selection

Is there any species that went extinct in recent years due to natural causes (not caused by human interaction). if so, what caused it?

Which short-term environmental changes would a very small asteroid or comet impact on earth most likely cause? check all that apply. flooding extinction craters on surface changes in weather patterns death of organisms and populations