Where would the greatest number of endemic species occur and why ?
(a) Small volcanic archipelagos, such as the Galapagos Islands, because the abundance of unoccupied habitats favours the adaptive divergence of colonists from nearby mainland populations.
(b) Large oceanic island, such as Australia, because the inhabitants have been isolated from mainland populations for a very long time.
(c) On rugged landscapes, such as Patagonia, because of the high levels of natural disturbance by glaciers and earthquakes.
(d) Temperate woodlands, such as those in southern England, because of the high levels of disturbance by human activity and the history of artificial selection.

Options

A. Small volcanic archipelagos, such as the Galapagos Islands, because the abundance of unoccupied habitats favours the adaptive divergence of colonists from nearby mainland populations.
B. Large oceanic island, such as Australia, because the inhabitants have been isolated from mainland populations for a very lonf time.
C. On rugged landscapes, such as Patagonia, because of the high levels of natural disturbance by glaciers and earthquakes.
D. Temperate woodlands, such as those in southern England, because of the high levels of disturbance by human activity and the history of artificial selection.

Explanation

To determine where the greatest number of endemic species would occur and why, let's analyze each option step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Endemic Species**:
- Endemic species are those that are found in a specific geographic area and are not naturally found anywhere else in the world. This means that for a species to be endemic, it must have evolved in isolation from other populations.

2. **Analyzing Option (a)**:
- **Small volcanic archipelagos (e.g., Galapagos Islands)**:
- These islands have unoccupied habitats that may favor adaptive divergence. However, the small size and potential for disturbances (like volcanic activity) can limit the establishment of many endemic species.
- **Conclusion**: This option is less likely to have the greatest number of endemic species.

3. **Analyzing Option (b)**:
- **Large oceanic islands (e.g., Australia)**:
- Australia is a large landmass surrounded by oceans, which has led to long-term isolation from other continents. This isolation allows species to evolve independently without interference from mainland populations.
- **Conclusion**: This option is likely to have a high number of endemic species due to the lack of disturbances and long-term isolation.

4. **Analyzing Option (c)**:
- **Rugged landscapes (e.g., Patagonia)**:
- High levels of natural disturbances (like glaciers and earthquakes) can disrupt habitats and prevent species from establishing themselves.
- **Conclusion**: This option is less favorable for the development of endemic species.

5. **Analyzing Option (d)**:
- **Temperate woodlands (e.g., southern England)**:
- High levels of human disturbance and artificial selection can lead to a loss of native species and do not favor the establishment of endemic species.
- **Conclusion**: This option is also less likely to have a significant number of endemic species.

### Final Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, the option that is most likely to have the greatest number of endemic species is **(b) Large oceanic islands, such as Australia**, because of their long-term isolation from mainland populations, which allows for the development of unique species without external disturbances.