Which rule explains why northern wolf populations tend to be larger than southern ones?
Answer
Bergmann's rule
The physical variation in wolf size across different geographies is often explained by Bergmann's rule. This ecological principle posits that within a widespread species, populations inhabiting colder, more northern latitudes tend to evolve larger average body sizes compared to populations found in warmer, more southern regions. This generally larger size in northern wolves is an adaptive trait, often resulting in greater body mass which aids in better heat retention in frigid environments, as larger bodies have a lower surface area to volume ratio relative to smaller bodies.
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