Correct option is A
EXPLANATION-
A. Individual subpopulations have realistic chances of both extinction and recolonization.
This condition means that each patch or subpopulation within the metapopulation can go extinct (die out) locally, but can also be recolonized or repopulated again through migration from other patches. This dynamic is fundamental to the metapopulation concept.
B. The dynamics of the various subpopulations should be largely independent.
This implies that each subpopulation's extinction or survival is not perfectly synchronized with others. Each patch acts somewhat independently, which is important to maintain metapopulation stability through asynchronous dynamics.
C. Recolonization of a patch after extinction is mainly through dispersal from the mainland patch.
This suggests that recolonization primarily depends on a single main or mainland source patch. This is a more restrictive condition that does not fully align with the Levins metapopulation model, where dispersal among multiple patches occurs.
D. Population dynamics in the patches of a metapopulation should be highly synchronous.
This means all subpopulations would have very similar population changes at the same time, which contradicts the metapopulation concept because asynchronous fluctuations among patches help maintain the metapopulation.
So, the correct answer is option (a) - A and B.
