The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) was once hunted to near extinction. Only 20 animals remained alive in 1890. After the species was protected from hunting, its population grew to nearly 30,000 animals, but the large population possesses very low genetic variation. Which of the following processes is the best interpretation of this scenario?
A. evolution by natural selection
B. evolution by artificial selection
C. evolution by the founder effect
D. evolution by the bottleneck effect
E. evolution by genetic drift
Answer: D
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