Which of the following best describes the function of the highlighted sentence in the context of the passage as a whole? A. To elaborate on an explanation of a difference between pikas and other animal populations B. To help explain the statement about pikas that was made in the preceding sentence C. To present new information that qualifies the findings presented in the second sentence D. To minimize the significance of information about pikas presented in the preceding sentence E. To provide evidence that apparently contradicts the observation initially described in the passage